Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Yamaha Factory MotoGP Team Loses Another Sponsor

Yamaha’s factory MotoGP team has lost a major sponsor for the second year in a row. Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas will not be extending its sponsorship agreement with the Yamaha team, ending a three-year relationship. Last year, the Yamaha team lost the title sponsorship of automobile manufacturer Fiat.

Piaggio Recalls Fly 50, Vespa LX50 and S50 Scooters

Piaggio is issuing a recall on its Fly 50 scooter and Vespa’s LX50 and S50 models due to a potential failure in the ignition control unit. The three scooters use the same four-valve four-stroke engine and may be subject to the same problem. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) unit on the affected scooters may fail, altering the ignition timing.

Top 10 Motorcycle News Stories of 2011

Top 10 Motorcycle News Stories of 20111 of 11Next Last At Motorcycle.com, we concentrate on news and reviews of the hottest new bikes, but there are plenty of others stories to be told about the motorcycle world. As the year draws to a close, we now look back at some of the biggest news stories from 2011. 1 of 11Next Last

Just Finishing is a Victory: Filming the Ironman Triathlon [Video]

A 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile run. That is what defines the Ironman Trianthlon, one of the most physically grueling competitions in the world, a race so harsh, the sport’s mantra is “Just Finishing is a Victory.” Victory Motorcycles has released a video showing a different side of the famous Ironman World Championship at Kona, Hawaii, taken from the perspective of the motorcycle-riding camera operators which film the  annual race. Victory sponsored some of the camera teams that filmed this year’s race for outlets such as NBC television and the 12-minute video shows some of the work that goes into this subset of motorcycle riding.

Yamaha Canada Cuts Prices to Move Closer to US Pricing

As a Canadian, I’ve gotten used to accepting a lot of differences between Canada and the United States. It’s colder up here. The taxes are higher.

FasterSafer.com — A Motorcycle Rider’s Best Investment.

When it comes to improving the performance of a motorcycle’s weakest link, Nick Ienatsch and Ken Hill have taken on an enormous task. You see, this link is always changing and never constant, but can be molded and improved. It’s not a motorcycle at all.

Xaus tests Moto2 Bimota

World Superbike regular, Ruben Xaus was impressing some track day regulars with his skills earlier this month at Almeria. The lanky Spaniard (who is now apparently a part owner of Bimota), was putting the Rimini manufacturer's Honda CBR600-powered Moto2 machine through its paces in the December sunshine. The short term plan if for it to be raced in domestic championships but I for one would love to see it on the MotoGP Moto2 grid.

Bridgestone tyres 2012 sneak preview

In November Bridgestone were shooting their 2012 range of tyres ready for launches next year. I was invited to the super-short Snetterton 100 to help out with riding some bikes. It hadn’t been long since I'd ridden at Snetterton and I was all too familiar with the new part of the track named ‘the 100’.

Ducati never made an 848R

There never was an 848R, or S or SP. Ducati just made the 848 and then tweaked it by adding Brembo monobloc brakes and a slightly more powerful motor to produce the 848 EVO. The owner of this 848 has really gone to town, billing his bike as an 848R.

Tested: EXO2 Heated Jacket

It still amazes me how few people know about heated clothing. The cold is a major factor in why people put their bikes away for the winter but if you wear the right kit, you can comfortably ride all year 'round. The EXO2 Stormrider jacket can be plugged into your bike's battery or powered by a rechargeable battery pack.

Motorcycle.com Presents 1199Forums.com, the Ducati 1199 Panigale Forum

Motorcycle.com is proud to announce the addition of a new Ducati 1199 Panigale forum to our network of motorcycle enthusiast communities. 1199Forums.com will offer owners and fans of the Ducati 1199 Panigale a place to connect with other enthusiasts, share photos and stories, discuss upgrades and modifications and find great deals on aftermarket accessories. The new Ducati 1199 forum joins the Motorcycle.com forum network which also includes Ducati.ms, DucatiMonster.org, Sportbike.net and TwoWheelForum.com and dozens of other communities for motorcyclists and enthusiasts.

This isn't Rossi's GP12

Unless you've been in a cave for the past decade, you'll know that Valentino Rossi loves a special paintjob, whether that's on his lids, bikes, cars or even his massive motorhome. This design by Nicolas Ceroni shows what Valentino's GP12 could look like in testing guise. Let's be honest, it's not going to look like this, as Valentino is actually quite restrained with his pre-season test paintjobs.

On Board the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR with Jake Zemke

Veteran AMA racer Jake Zemke was on hand for the recent press intro for the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR. We asked Jake to go a couple of laps for us at Infineon Raceway with our GoPro camera to show us what it’s like to ride the CBR for someone used to pushing the bike to its limits. Check out the onboard video after the jump.

2012 'Blade tail tidy from R&G

R&G Racing have released the first available tail tidy and crash protection accessories for the 2012 Honda Fireblade This is what R&G have to say about the new products for the 2012 Fireblade: Crafted from 2mm thick stainless steel for lightness and powder-coated black for a high quality finish, the Tail Tidy is easy to install and comes with comprehensive, step-by-step fitting instructions. Currently the only product of its type available for the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR, the £79.99 Tail Tidy features an ultra bright LED number plate light and can retain the standard Honda indicators or be used with R&G’s own Micro Indicators (£27.49). Also included in the box are spacer options for the indicator mounts to work round different size number plates.

Jury Dismisses Suit Against Harley-Davidson Over ABS Indicator

A Sacramento Superior Court jury has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Harley-Davidson involving a 2009 accident that left one of the plaintiffs with severe brain injuries. Judy Wilson was injured in an April 11, 2009, crash after her husband, Jack, locked the rear wheel of his non-ABS equipped 2008 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. The plaintiffs contended they believed their  was equipped with ABS because the instrument panel had an ABS indicator icon and from the salesperson’s sales pitch.

Motocicletas Italika Signs Distribution Deal with Wal-Mart in Mexico

Mexico’s largest motorcycle manufacturer has reached a new distribution agreement with Wal-Mart to offer its motorcycles and scooters across Mexico. Motociclestas Italika, which claims a 63% share of the Mexican motorcycle market, will offer its FT150GT motorcycle (pictured above) and its GS150 scooter at 200 Wal-Mart Supercenter locations across Mexico. Italika’s FT110 and FT125 Sport motorcycles and DS150 scooter will also be offered at 500 locations of the Wal-Mart-owned discount chain Bodega Aurrera.

Recall on Kuryakyn Transformer Passenger Floorboards for Honda Gold Wing

Accessory manufacturer Küryakyn is issuing a recall on its Transformer passenger floorboards for the 2001-2011 Honda Gold Wing. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the mounts of the Küryakyn Transformer floorboards may crack and break free from the mounting bolts. The floorboards may unexpectedly fall off the motorcycle, potentially leading to a crash or injury.

The celebrity motorcycle of choice is..

When you're a 'celebrity' and you're after a motorcycle the formula is often: cost ( money no object) x style ( taste questionable) / number of said motorcycles due for production = chance of you buying that bike The bike at the top of this list almost always appears to be a Confederate of some sort. The bespoke bikes are made in Alabama, cost a small fortune and production is limited to around 30 units a year. The current list of owners includes: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Bruce Springsteen, David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds and Nicolas Cage.

Video: Catalunya 2009, that pass

The battle between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo from Catalunya was one of the most memorable and thrilling races from recent years, a definite candidate for one of the Greatest Grand Prix races - ever. Passing Lorenzo at the final corner was the defining moment that is still talked about today, but for me the most incredible and bold pass made by Rossi in those final few laps was out-braking his former Yamaha team-mate around the outside into turn one.

2012 Horex VR6 Roadster Undergoes Final Tests

Horex is putting its new VR6 Roadster through its final paces as it prepares for homologation and series production. As Horex draws closer to its launch target of spring 2012, the revived German brand has begun measuring its VR6 Roadster‘s final parameters. These figures will be part of the final set of data to be submitted for homologation.

Honda CBR250R Challenge Series Announced for 2012 Canadian Superbike Season

Honda Canada has officially announced a new racing series featuring its CBR250R entry-level sportbike, to be held at 2012 Canadian Superbike racing events. The new Honda CBR250R Challenge series replaces the previous CBR125R spec series and will include a double-header at each CSBK National race weekend. The series is open to riders 15-25, though riders as young as 13 may be eligible if they have competed in at least three sanctioned CBR125R events.

2012 Ducati Riding Experience Featuring 1199 Panigale S and Troy Bayliss Academy

Ducati has announced the 2012 edition of its Ducati Riding Experience riding school program, including the return of the Troy Bayliss Academy and the addition of the new 1199 Panigale S. The five-event 2012 Ducati Riding Experience Calendar will be held at some of Italy’s top circuits including the MotoGP-hosting Mugello and Misano circuits and the Imola and Monza circuits which host World Superbike. The Ducati Riding Experience offers six courses, covering a range of skill levels and using different Ducati motorcycles.

The week's most popular stories

Want to know what people are looking at on Visordown? Well for the past 7 days, these have been our most popular stories: Motorcycle Racers on Twitter, 5 things no-one told you about becoming a biker, Thieves nick copper's bike, Honda Moto Compo, Irony. So there you have it, that's what everyone else has read, have you?

2012 848 Challenge calendar announced

The 2012 Ducati 848 Challenge calendar has been announced. The eight-round championship will support the British Superbike championship for six of the eight rounds and will also head to Assen for the third year in a row and also to Misano as part of the World Ducati Week. The one-make series is open to riders of the Ducati 848 and 848 EVO models.

Randy de Puniet's custom W650

MotoGP star Randy de Puniet commissioned Deus customs to build him a motorcycle for the streets of Sydney. Randy's brief was for a middleweight, 2-up twin that would be light enough to slice through the city streets and have the power for blasts on the open road, and have orange, black and white for the paint. Deus chose the Kawasaki W650, lowered it at both ends, fitted an SR500 tank, lobbed the old air box and added K&N filters, stuck on a custom 2-into-2 exhaust system and added low-profile fenders to finish off the clean and simple look.

2012 Honda CBR1000RR First Ride

First some bad news: the new 2012 Honda CBR1000RR doesn’t come with traction control. The good news: It doesn’t matter. It’s still an absolute blast to ride.

Motorcycle Owners Happier, More Willing to Spend

Motorcycle owners are more satisfied with their purchases this year and are willing to spend more money to ride, according to the 2011 U.S. Motorcycle Competitive Information Study from J.D. Power and Associates.

US Highland Forms Electric Motorcycle Subsidiary

Oklahoma-based US Highland announced the creation of a new wholly-owned subsidiary which will produce electric vehicles. US Highland says it is in preliminary discussions with an American OEM with proven experience in electric motor technology. The new subsidiary, US Highland Electric, will tap into an expected growth in demand for electric vehicles.

Leo Vince Ducati Multistrada 1200 exhaust

Leo Vince have released this exhaust and decat kit for the Ducati Multistrada 1200. Rather than just a plain old link pipe to replace the cat, Leo Vince's decat replacement includes a silencer to cut noise. The exhaust can be fitted to the standard cat, or you could fit the stock exhaust to the Leo Vince decat, or run both.

Five minutes with Neil Hodgson

Commentating on Eurosport, demo riding at bike shows, instructing on track days and being the Ducati 848 Challenge ambassador are just a few of the jobs that keep Neil Hodgson amused these days. Last week I tripped over the 2003 World Superbike Champion in Almeria so a few personal questions had to be asked. N.M. You seem to have a permanent grin on your face these days, any particular reason?