Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Banshee Horn Lets Your Bike Scream Like a Banshee

Left-turning cars at an oncoming intersection. A driver changing lanes without checking his blind spot. An SUV drifting perilously close to the lane markings while its driver checks his Blackberry.

Harley Art

A new display in the Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee is set to open at the end of this week exhibiting the artwork of the firm's styling chief Willie G Davidson. As well as being the grandson of the original 'Davidson' and in charge of all Harley's styling, it turns out that Willie G is a dab hand with a paintbrush. According to Harley-Davidson, the display will include “idyllic rural landscapes and still life watercolour paintings with strong luminosity and form that hint at time spent in the countryside during 48 years as the pacesetter in motorcycle design.” The firm's museum has also announced other special exhibits planned for later in the year, including “Journey of the Iron Elite: The Evolution of Motorcycle Culture through the Eyes of African-Americans” and “Born to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket” - a 4000-square-foot display dedicated purely to black biker jackets...

More on BMW’s Record-Setting 2011 Motorcycle Sales Figures

BMW has released additional information breaking down its record 2011 sales. As previously reported, the German manufacturer sold a record 104,286 units in 2011, with a 7.4% year-on-year growth in the United States alone. According to BMW, the company sold 10,203 units in the U.S., making it the third largest market for BMW, behind Germany (20,002 units) and Italy (13,600 units).

Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction Rakes In $1.8 Million

  A collection of classic motorcycles including some owned by the Du Pont family was auctioned by Bonhams in Las Vegas, with sales reaching $1.8 million, nearly double the pre-auction estimates. The auction included 50 motorcycles and 113 lots of spare parts from the Du Pont family including some from the personal collection of E. Paul du Pont, founder of Du Pont Motors and one-time president of Indian Motorcycles.

AMA Supercross: 2012 Phoenix Results

Ryan Dungey gave KTM its first ever AMA Supercross win, taking the holeshot and leading every lap in Phoenix, Ariz. With an audience of 49,236 watching at Chase Field, it was the field that had to chase Dungey during the main event. Dungey jumped out in front at the first corner followed by JGRMX Yamaha‘s Davi Millsaps and defending AMA Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto of Kawasaki.

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden Frolicking in the Snow [Video]

Last week, we wrote about Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden and Ducati’s annual Wrooom ski and press event in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. While Ducati, Rossi and Hayden are under intense pressure to perform better in 2012 than they did in the 2011 MotoGP season, the Wrooom event provided the riders and the team a chance to unwind before getting back to work. Ducati has released a video featuring its two factory riders enjoying the slopes at the ski result in the Italian Alps.Watch the video after the jump of Rossi and Hayden riding a Ducati-adorned Ski-Doo and snowboarding.

Dakar Rally 2012 Results – Despres Wins Fourth Dakar

Cyril Despres beat his teammate Marc Coma to win his fourth Dakar Rally, while KTM captured its 11th consecutive win in the 33rd running of the off-road race. Despres won three stages and finished the 5,214-mile race in South America in a total time of 43 hours, 28 minutes and 11 seconds. Despres crossed the finish in Lima, Peru, with a lead of 53 minutes and 20 seconds ahead of his fellow Red Bull KTM rider Coma.

Enduro World Champion Mika Aloha Dies After Training Crash

Reigning World Enduro Champion Mika Aloha has succumbed to injuries suffered in a crash while training. He was 37. The Finnish racer passed away from internal injuries on Jan.

John Hopkins Loses Fingertip [Warning: Graphic Image May be a Shocker]

Following numerous procedures and some complications, American racer John Hopkins has undergone surgery to remove the tip of his right ring finger. The Crescent Suzuki racer initially injured the finger in a crash while competing as a MotoGP wild card entry for Rizla Suzuki in the Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno in August. Since then, Hopkins underwent six procedures to repair his finger to no avail.

The question is: is this Stacey?

Sex sells, right? So when you're trying to sell your bike, a picture of a pretty girl will fool anyone into buying anything. Or maybe not.

Pilat jumps pilot

Czech rider Petr Pilat is a rising FMX star. He started riding FMX at age 10, performed his first backflip at the age of 14 and has been supported along the way by another Petr, Europe's first backflipper Petr Kuchar. So how does he make a backflip more exciting?

Another bikes vs. car drift battle

Icon have just released a sequel to last year's popular drift video that featured Nick Brocha on a stretched ZX10 racing alongside a Corvette-Powered RX7.  Upping the stakes this time, Brocha is joined by Ernie Vigil, both onboard Triumph Speed Triples that have been built for the sole purpose of moving forward, but sideways. Taking up the rear is a supercharged 550hp Ford Mustang Cobra, quite apt really seeing how the film ends. Like the recent Jorian Ponomareff 'Drift Gymkhana', its great to see another video that does justice to the talent on show.

Hold on tight

Judging by the quality of this video, it was filmed on a toaster. The pillion keeps the engine running whilst a rider performs his pre-flight safety check (pants tucked in, head protection not covering clutch). So it's a shame that after lending a helping hand he is unceremoniously thrown to the floor.

2012 Suzuki GSR750 Gets ABS; Still Not Coming Stateside

Suzuki announced the 2012 edition of its GSR750 naked middleweight will get ABS as an optional add-on. What it still doesn’t have? U.S.

Motorcycle Drifting, Part 2.

Today’s Friday Fun Video comes courtesy of the marketing department at Icon Motorsports. Following the success of their first motorcycle drift video, featuring Nick Brocha on a stretched Kawasaki ZX-10R scorching rubber with Jim Guthrie on a Corvette-powered Mazda RX7, the guys set out to one-up themselves. With this video, I think it’s safe to say “Mission Accomplished.” This time around, Brocha is joined by Ernie Vigil and they’re riding modified Triumph Speed Triples.

BMW Motorrad USA Reports 7.4% Growth in 2011

BMW Motorrad reported a 7.4% growth in U.S. sales in 2011, nearly double the growth reported in the previous year. The 7.4% growth is also higher than the overall worldwide growth of 6.4% BMW recently announced.

Wrooom 2012: Fun and Games for Rossi and Ducati Before Going Back to Work on MotoGP Project

The pressure is on Ducati and Valentino Rossi this off-season to revamp the Desmosedici for the 2012 MotoGP Championship after a lackluster 2011. But that doesn’t mean Vale et al can’t have a bit of fun at the annual Wrooom press event held jointly between Ducati‘s MotoGP team and Ferrari‘s F1 squad. Rossi took part in a pair of four-wheeled races on the frozen lake at Madonna di Campiglio where Wrooom took place.

Preliminary 2012 MotoGP Entry List Released

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has released a preliminary entry list for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship. The provisional list includes 21 riders in the premiere class, including nine classified as Claiming Rule Team entries. Defending MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner will wear the #1 plate for the 2012 season, the first with both CRT entries and the new 1000cc engine displacement cap.

Spa, onboard, at pace..

Earlier this week we revised the 2012 MotoGP calendar and included Spa on the list. Yes, we know the chances of MotoGP going to Spa are thinner than a steam-rolled Supermodel but we like the thought of MotoGP going there. Check out this video of FIM 2009 World Superstock champion, Xavier Simeon, onboard a Honda CBR600RR, putting in a scorcher of a lap.

Another New Victory Coming 1/20/12

Hot off the trails of the Hard Ball’s release just last month, Victory Motorcycles is showing no signs of slowing down in 2012, as it’s set to debut yet another new model January 20 at the New York International Motorcycle Show. Details about the new machine are scarce, but if we were to guess judging on the graphic above we’d say it could be loosely based off the Vegas due to its conventional fork and lack of fairings. What we do know from the graphic is that it will be powered by the tried and true 106 c.i.

TTXGP to Support ALMS’ New International Electric Vehicle Racing Series

Electric motorcycle race organization TTXGP is supporting a new international electric vehicle racing series being organized by the American Le Mans Series, the International Motor Sport Association and sustainability project group Quimera. The new series will feature several different racing categories, including TTXGP motorcycle racing. The project, a joint venture between the ALMS, the IMSA and Quimera, is preparing for a 2013 launch.

Happy 50th Hizzy

On the 11th January 1962, Steve Hislop was born in Hawick, Scotland. Today would have been his 50th birthday, but he was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in 2003. Hizzy was a genius on a motorbike and when he was happy with everything around him, he was amongst the best in the world.

2012 Kawasaki Versys 1000 Makes North American Debut in Canada

As we’ve previously reported, the new Kawasaki Versys 1000 will not be imported to the U.S, but it will be available in North America in Canada as a 2012 model. Kawasaki Canada presented the Versys 1000 at its display at this past weekend’s North American International Motorcycle Supershow in Toronto, for the new “adventure sport” model’s debut on this side of the Atlantic. While he can’t speak for Kawasaki USA’s decision making, Bob Calwell, district manager for Kawasaki Canada, he does note that the Canadian company does have a history of making different product selections.

Ural Sales Increase 39 Percent In 2011

Ural, the funky motorcycle sidecar manufacturer from Russia, is boasting a 39% increase in unit sales for 2011. Considering the company’s total expected output for last year was approximately 1,100 models, you won’t notice an influx of sidehacks dominating your local roadways, but this is really good news for the small manufacturer of eclectic two-wheelers, especially in the midst of a deficient economy. Ural recognized an article in the New York Times and a collaboration with bike builder James Hammarhead for some of the company’s increasing popularity.

Report: Danny Eslick Signs with Erik Buell Racing

Two-time AMA Sportbike Champion Danny Eslick has reportedly signed with Erik Buell Racing to ride the EBR 1190RS in the 2012 AMA Superbike Championship. According to RoadRacingWorld, Eslick will join the already-signed Geoff May for a two-rider EBR team. RoadRacingWorld reports EBR has secured additional sponsorship, allowing the team to sign a second rider.

Traction control? Yawn...

My long-term Fireblade went back to Honda last week and, seeing as it’s sunny and mild outside now, I’m already missing it. It is one of the best 1000cc sports bikes out there, I don’t care what anyone else says, the way it makes its power is just perfect for fast road use. With the Power Commander 5 fitted and the fuelling sorted my 2011 Blade performed as well if not better than the 2012 version.

Visordown's revised 2012 MotoGP calendar

Now that Jerez has confirmed MotoGP for 2012, that's 4 races in Spain. We had a bit of a debate about the current calendar in the office and thought we could do a better job. Frankly.

Ducati Diavel gets more Öhlins treatment

Here's a look at some tasty black Öhlins forks for the Ducati Diavel. This is what Öhlins have to say about them: We've developed a set of performance forks for the awesome Ducati Diavel to give increased handling capabilities to this already unique ‘muscle bike’.The FGRT 301 ‘Road and Track’ forks have been especially designed with black outer tubes and gold fork sliders to retain the mean and moody look of this 160bhp monster machine, something that reflects the front suspension on the Ducati MotoGP machines.Featuring 48mm forks containing Öhlins NIX 30mm cartridge technology, the new forks offer improved road manners and high performance capabilities for when the pace increases. With adjustment of compression and rebound split between the two fork legs, the new forks offer unrivalled control and feel whatever the conditions.The forks follow the successful introduction of the Ohlins rear shock for the Diavel and it is expected many customers will combine the two suspension systems for the ultimate in comfort and handling for their machine.Öhlins has a fantastic relationship with Ducati with models such as the Multistrada 1200S and the eagerly awaited 1199S Panigale utilising electronically adjusting Öhlins suspension systems.The Öhlins FGRT 301 Road and Track forks are available now and are priced at £2597.90 + VAT.

AMA Supercross: 2012 Anaheim I Results

Ryan Villopoto picked up where he left off while Ryan Dungey gave KTM its first ever AMA Supercross podium as the season kicked off in Anaheim, Calif. Reigning champion and Monster Energy Kawasaki rider Villopoto took the holeshot and led all 20 laps to win the Anaheim I season opener by over 12 seconds ahead of Chad Reed‘s TwoTwo Motorsports Honda. “Villopoto made us look silly out here tonight,” says Reed.

Lehman Trikes Founder Passes at 60

Lehman Trikes announced the passing of its founder and director, John K. Lehman, from heart failure brought on by an embolism. The 2009 Sturgis Hall of Fame member died Jan.