Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Brembo MotoGP Braking Infographic From Mugello

Brembo, the major braking component manufacturer for most on the MotoGP grid, has been providing detailed braking information, in infographic form, for each of the circuits the MotoGP calendar visits. Now, following the hugely exciting Mugello grand prix, which saw Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo engage in a hotly contested battle for victory, the Italian company has released this same info yet again, detailing just how hard the fastest riders on Earth are using their Brembo brakes at the Autodromo Internazionale Del Mugello. Featuring the longest straight on the MotoGP calendar, Mugello sees MotoGP machines reaching speeds surpassing 220 mph.

Bill Tuman, Bobby Hill, To Be Grand Marshals For AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

In the early 1950s, three underdog riders were winning AMA Grand Nationals against their better-funded factory rivals out of Europe and Milwaukee, Wis. Whether it was the Springfield Mile, the Charity Newsies or Daytona, Bill Tuman, Bobby Hill and Ernie Beckman put their Indian motorcycles on the top step of the podium. Known as the Indian Wrecking Crew, Tuman, Hill and Beckman made an indelible mark on the history books and solidified Indian Motorcycles’ reputation as one of the 20th Century’s greatest marques.

Bolt Headlines Returning 2015 Models From Star & Yamaha

With all the excitement focused on the FZ-07′s stateside introduction, let us not forget these equally important models returning to Star’s and Yamaha’s 2015 lineup: the Bolt and Bolt R-Spec, the street-legal WR250R, XT250 and TW200, and the Blu Cru MXers; the 2-stroke YZ85/125/250, and 4-stroke YZ250F/450F. Bolt Like the FZ-09′s success, the Bolt is a smash hit for Star Motorcycles. So good, in fact, Star says the Bolt and Bolt R-Spec have been the best selling metric cruisers in all displacement sizes for the last 12 months ending in April of this year.

Yamaha FZ-07 Available Stateside In July

Hot on the heels of the stellar FZ-09 comes its smaller displacement counterpart, the FZ-07. Priced at $6990, the new twin-cylinder FZ is set to hit dealer showroom floors this July as a 2015 model. Already available in foreign markets (our Canadian correspondent, Costa Mouzouris, reviewed the FZ-07 here) we’ve been awaiting word from Yamaha of US-bound FZ-07s with bated breath.

2014 AIMExpo Heads Back To Orlando This October

Highlighted by global introductions of new products from some of the world’s most well-known and popular powersports companies, the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) rolls into Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) this fall with more exhibitors,  and a larger footprint, following a successful debut last year. Kicking off the summer riding season, tickets are now on sale to the public online with a limited-time Buy One, Get One Free offer available through the end of June. Officially endorsed by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) as the premier motorcycle trade and consumer event in North America, AIMExpo unifies industry, dealers, media and consumers in a single arena that creates a grand stage for motorcycling and the greater powersports industry.

A Walkaround With The Mugen Shinden San TT Zero Winner + Video

Earlier today, John McGuinness earned his 21st Isle of Man TT victory, claiming the top step in the TT Zero electric motorcycle race aboard the Mugen Shinden San. His single-lap race time of 19:17.300 means he averaged an astonishing 117.366 mph, destroying the existing lap record of 109.675 mph set last year by Michael Rutter aboard the MotoCzysz. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, the Michael Czysz could not field a team this year. In this video, Mugen’s UK Project Manager, Colin Whittamore tells us more about the Shinden San during testing before the TT.

How To Remove A Motorcycle Tire With Only Zipties + Video

Think you need fancy tools and sophisticated equipment to remove a motorcycle tire? Think again: In the video below, YouTuber, Red Raider, shows you how to remove a tire from the wheel using (primarily) the most important tool in any backyard mechanic’s tool set — zipties.  Browse around in his related videos and he’ll also show you how to install tires back onto the wheel using the ziptie method as well. As for balancing the wheel after the tire is mounted, well, you’re on your own there…

Isle of Man TT 2014: Monster Supersport TT 2 Results

Michael Dunlop led from start to finish to win the second Supersport TT race, giving him 10 TT victories in his career, tying him with the likes of Giacomo Agostini. Dunlop also joins sidecar racer Robert Fisher, Ian Lougher and Stanley Woods with 10 wins apiece, all tied for seventh overall on the all-time wins list. Riding his MD Racing Honda CBR600RR, Dunlop got off to a strong start, recording a time of 17:55.817 on the opening lap, giving him a 4.6-second advantage over fellow Honda rider Bruce Anstey.

2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Recalled for Defective Drive Chain

Suzuki Motor of America announced a recall on the 2014 V-Strom 650 ABS because of a problem with the drive chain. As of this writing, the recall campaign has not been posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but we expect this to be done shortly. Meanwhile north of the border, a similar recall has been announced for the 2014 Suzuki GSX650FA by Transport Canada describing a similar problem.

Isle of Man TT 2014: Karl Harris Dies in Superstock TT Crash

Former three-time British Supersport Champion Karl Harris has died from injuries in a crash during the Superstock TT race. Harris is the second rider to have lost his life during the 2014 Isle of Man TT; Bob Price was killed in a crash during the Supersport TT race a day earlier. A total of nine racers have died in the Isle of Man TT over the last five years, with the Snaefell Mountain Course claiming another eight riders over that span as part of the Manx Grand Prix.

Isle of Man TT 2014: SES TT Zero Results

John McGuinness set a new record to win the 2014 TT Zero electric race on the Isle of Man. Riding the Mugen Shinden San, McGuinness completed the single-lap race with a time of 19:17.300, averaging a speed of 117.366 mph. Bruce Anstey also rode the Shinden San, finishing second with an average speed of 115.048.

Harley-Davidson Street 750 Goes Flat Tracking At X Games

Harley-Davidson’s new Street 750 is set to make its flat track debut this weekend at X Games Austin. Reigning AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National champion Brad “the Bullet” Baker will lead the exhibition race. Highlights of the race will air on ESPN during the X Games competition coverage. A Conversation With AMA Grand National Champion Brad Baker “The action-packed environment at X Games Austin fits perfectly with the attitude and identity of the new Street 750 motorcycle,” said Dino Bernacchi, Director U.S. Marketing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Yamaha Champions Riding School Sold Out June 9 & 10

It took more than a year for the Yamaha Champions Riding School to sell out at its former location of Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. Since its return at New Jersey Motorsports Park, the school has sold out in less than a half of season. There are any number of reasons this could be the case.

Erik Buell Receives Bravo Entrepeneur Award

The closing of Buell Motorcycle Company by parent company Harley-Davidson was a major blow to the company’s namesake, Erik Buell. Many lesser men would have accepted defeat and moved on with their lives. Buell is not like most people.

A Closer Look At Valentino Rossi’s “Pasta” Helmet Worn At Mugello

During this weekend’s Mugello MotoGP round, Valentino Rossi wore a helmet dedicated to “Di Vale” pasta (inspired by an actual Italian brand of a similar name). The graphics feature pieces of rigatoni and highlight the fact that despite being in his 20th year racing, Rossi is still competitive and is “never overcooked!” Also on the helmet are a graphic with shafts of wheat and the Casanova and Savelli corners—Mugello’s right-left combination where Rossi often overtakes his competitors. On the rear are Valentino’s inevitable bulldogs Caesar and Cecilia, this time eating from a bowl of pasta.

New Two-Day AMA Racing Schedule Will Be Used At Barber’s Triumph Superbike Classic

Fans will see an action-packed weekend full of on-track activities when AMA Pro Road Racing returns to Barber Motorsports Park for the Triumph Superbike Classic presented by America’s First Federal Credit Union June 21st-22nd. The Triumph Superbike Classic will be the debut of AMA Pro Road Racing’s new two-day schedule. Riders and teams will be under qualifying conditions the first time they take to the beautiful and technical 17-turn, 2.38 mile permanent road course located in Birmingham, Alabama.

Isle of Man TT 2014: RL360 Superstock TT Results

Michael Dunlop won his second race in the 2014 Isle of Man TT and ninth in his career, taking the RL360 Superstock TT on a BMW S1000RR. Dunlop also won the Superbike TT earlier, giving BMW its first two wins on the Isle of Man since 1939. Meanwhile, Supersport TT 1 winner Gary Johnson was injured in a crash on the opening lap while running second behind Dunlop.

2015 KTM SX Lineup Revealed

KTM has updated its SX motocross lineup for 2015 with new chassis designs, including revised frames and suspension systems developed specifically for the U.S. KTM will again offer a number of engine displacements from 50cc to 450cc, including both two- and four-stroke models for different experience levels. The new chromoly-steel frame uses a machined cross tube connecting the frame sides to the linkage.

2015 Honda CRF Lineup

Honda announced today its 2015 lineup of off-road models from the CRF450R to the CRF125F. Boasting a menagerie of performance updates, Honda’s dirtbikes offer a range of possibilities from beginner riders to pro-level enthusiasts. CRF450R The CRF450R incorporates numerous changes throughout the engine for 2015 to yield higher performance, added durability and an extra level of tuning adjustability.

2014 Season of Velocity’s What’s in the Barn? Premiers June 10

While some of you may think that the old saw about finding rare, valuable motorcycles in barns is an urban (rural?) legend, Velocity TV’s popular show What’s in the Barn? proves that these finds still out there, waiting to be uncovered. On Tuesday, June 10th, in celebration of the beginning of the show’s 2014 season, Velocity will broadcast back-to-back episodes of What’s in the Barn? at10:00 and 10:30 PM ET/PT.

2015 Honda CBR300R Announced for USA

American Honda announced it will offer the CBR300R for the 2015 model year. First unveiled at last fall’s CIMAMotor show in China and also appearing at EICMA in Italy, we were hoping the CBR250R replacement would have arrived in the U.S. earlier in the spring.

Isle of Man TT 2014: Racer Bob Price Killed in Supersport TT 1

Veteran road racer Bob Price was killed in the first Supersport TT race in the 2014 Isle of Man TT. Event organizers ACU Events Ltd. confirmed Price’s passing following a crash at Ballaugh on the third lap of the race.

Isle of Man TT 2014: Monster Supersport TT 1 Results

Gary Johnson narrowly beat out Bruce Anstey to take the first of two Supersport races at the 2014 Isle of Man TT. Riding the Daytona 675, Johnson’s win was the first for Triumph since 2003, ironically, with Anstey taking the victory that year in the Junior 600cc class. The race started three hours behind schedule due to fog, but once it began it quickly became a duel between Johnson and Anstey.

Isle of Man TT 2014: Sure Sidecar 1 Results

It was a long time coming, but sidecar racer Conrad Harrison can add one accomplishment to his resume: Isle of Man TT winner. Harrison, along with passenger Mike Aylott won the first of two Sure Sidecar TT races. The win was the first for Harrison since he made his Isle of Man TT debut 21 years ago in 1993.

Isle of Man TT 2014: Dainese Superbike TT Results

Michael Dunlop won a historic Dainese Superbike race to kick off the 2014 Isle of Man TT week. Riding the S1000RR, Dunlop secured BMW its first win on the Isle of Man since Georg Meier won on a Type 255 Kompressor in 1939. After catching early leader James Hillier of the Quattro Plant Kawasaki team on the opening lap, Dunlop continued to set an impressive first lap time of 17:11.107, which translates to a record average speed of 131.730 mph on the 37.73-mile Mountain Course.

WERA Bringing Back Formula Open Class, With Full Television Coverage

Exciting news in the world of motorcycle roadracing in the U.S. –  The WERA Pro Series is resurrected – featuring the North American Formula Open Class. A ten round motorcycle roadracing series, it will be televised in it’s entirety on MAVTV in 2015.  Winters Film Group will be producing the ten round WERA Pro Series from tracks across America!

Harley-Davidson Helps America Avoid Further Father’s Day Flubs

While Father’s Day is meant to celebrate fatherhood and family, new data shows most American dads aren’t feeling the love. The survey, commissioned by Harley-Davidson, interviewed more than 1,200 American dads about their Father’s Day gifts and experiences. The findings are clear that not all dads get their due on their day.

Dainese And Valentino Rossi Remember Marco Simoncelli At Italian Grand Prix

This morning Valentino Rossi lined up at his home circuit at Mugello wearing a truly special Dainese suit. With #thisforSIC58 embroidered on the back, Rossi showed his support to the Marco Simoncelli Foundation, an organization dedicated to the memory of his friend, and fan favorite, Marco. The suit will be worn by Rossi during the race weekend and will be put up for auction on Wednesday, June 18, at 2 p.m. Rossi’s suit is the first of many original Dainese products worn by world champion riders that will be available on dainese.com.

Odwarka Replaces Blesse as VP of BMW Motorrad USA

Former Husqvarna President Kris Odwarka has been appointed the new vice president of BMW Motorrad USA, taking over from Hans Blesse who is leaving the position to head the BMW Group’s Canadian subsidiary. Odwarka (pictured on the left, above) will be in charge of BMW motorcycle sales and marketing in the U.S. starting on June 1.

AMA Pro SuperBike Heads To Road America For Round 2 Of AMA Pro Road Racing

The 2014 AMA Pro Road Racing season resumes this weekend with the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wis., and all eyes will be on 21-year-old AMA Pro SuperBike rookie Cameron Beaubier on the No. 2 Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R1. Beaubier may be the new kid on the block, but he entered the season opener at Daytona International Speedway with high expectations.