Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Honda Motor Compo: For Those Too Lazy to Walk From the Car to the Front Door

Honda introduced a new electric suitcase-styled scooter concept designed to be small enough to fit in the passenger compartment of a car. (Updated with more high-resolution photos). The Motor Compo concept was unveiled alongside Honda’s futuristic-looking Micro Commuter Concept electric car at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

Ducati Streetfighter 848 Inspired Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG

The partnership between Ducati and Mercedes-AMG has produced some new fruit, this time a Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG inspired by the Ducati Streetfighter 848′s “Fighter Yellow” color. It’s been over a year since Ducati and Mercedes-Benz’ performance brand AMG signed a cooperation agreement at the 2010 LA Auto Show. Back in September, the two brands came together to produce the special edition Ducati Diavel AMG at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

New Stuff: Held Cardona jacket

Ever asked for a Coke and got the 'it's Pepsi is that ok?' line, and you know that a Hoover is actually a vacuum cleaner? Well it's like that with GORE-TEX jackets, or should I say 'textile jackets'. In the case of textile jackets GORE-TEX is simply the brand but also just happens to be widely recognized as one of the best brands in the market. As with many 'best brands' you pay a premium, the Cardona jacket will cost you £679.99 if you wanted to buy one today.

Yamaha Y125 MOEGI Concept – 176 Pounds and 188 MPG

Yamaha has released new details for its Y125 MOEGI following the concept model’s debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. (Updated with video and hi-res photography.) We already knew Yamaha is equipping the MOEGI with a 125cc engine and the retro-styled concept looks to be exceptionally light. How light?

Honda RC-E Electric Sportbike Revealed at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

We’re still waiting for any technical details but here are initial photographs Honda has released of its new RC-E electric sportbike concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. (Updated with six more high-resolution images.) Honda describes the RC-E as an electric version of a supersports bike, claiming a powerful and smooth ride for an electric vehicle within the compact form of a 250cc-class motorcycle. The images clearly show Brembo calipers and Ohlins suspension, and we especially like the LED headlights and the retro styling.

Afghan Heroes tribute Harley MT350

The above Harley-Davidson MT350 has been created in honor of the UK soldiers killed over the last ten years in the Afghanistan conflict. This particular MT350 was previously used by British forces in Afghanistan and will now act as a memorial for the charity Afghan Heroes. The tribute was created by Paul Ferguson and Martin Turner, and now features the name of each fallen serviceman or woman, accompanied by their age and the date they were killed in action.

Boxer Design Superbob Concept – 158 HP Turbocharged V-Twin

French firm Boxer Design has unveiled a new 1000cc turbocharged V-Twin concept model at the 2011 Salon de la Moto show in Paris. The Boxer Superbob is powered by a 88-degree V-Twin engine claiming 158 hp at 9500rpm and 92 ft-lb. of torque at 8000rpm.

Honda to Shift Mid and Large Displacement Motorcycle Production to Thailand

Honda is reportedly moving production of 400cc and larger motorcycles to Thailand from Japan to reduce production costs and overcome the rising value of the yen. According to Japanese news outlet Daily Yomiuri, Honda plans to produce 400cc and 500cc models at a new factory to be built in the suburbs of Bangkok, Thailand. Honda currently produces small displacement models such as the CBR250R in Thailand, with larger models coming out of Honda’s factory in Kumamoto, Japan.

MV Agusta F4 and F3 to Compete in 2012 Isle of Man TT

MV Agusta is returning to Isle of Man TT competition with the World Performance Racing team entering an F4 and an F3. The Italian brand has a storied history in the Isle of Man TT, with the legendary Giacomo Agostini winning 10 times under the MV Agusta banner. Overall, MV Agusta claims 34 TT race victories and 61 podiums at the Isle of Man.

Husqvarna Reveals BMW G650GS-Engined Concept Strada

Husqvarna unveiled a new streetbike model powered by the engine from parent company BMW’s G650GS. The Husqvarna Concept Strada was int4roduced in Paris at the Salon de la Moto show. Though Husqvarna is calling the supermoto-styled Strada a concept, but the new model is near production ready, with Husqvarna expecting to begin sales in 2012, possibly as a 2013 model.

The Making of Yamaha VMax Hyper Modified by Roland Sands, Marcus Walz and Ludovic Lazareth [Video]

Yamaha Motor Europe asked three of the world’s top builders to work their magic on the company’s flagship power cruiser, the VMax. America’s Roland Sands, Germany’s Marcus Walz and Ludovic Lazareth of France each set to work and create three different interpretations on the Yamaha VMax. These “Hyper Modified” custom Yamaha VMax models were unveiled at Yamaha’s stand at the EICMA show earlier this month, and we placed them at #4 on our Top 10 EICMA Show Bikes You May Have Missed list.

Rossi Finishes Second to World Champion Loeb at Monza Rally Show

Valentino Rossi is back on the podium. Not a MotoGP podium, mind, but for a rally car race at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy. (Post updated with video.) Driving a Ford Fiesta RS with co-driver Carlo Cassina, Rossi won two of nine stages and finished second overall to eight-time World Rally Car Champion Sebastien Loeb at the 2011 Monza Rally Show.

Yamaha Teams with Toyota on Vehicle Communication Technology

Yamaha and Toyota are collaborating on new communication-linked vehicle technology. The two Japanese manufacturers will showcase their work in a joint exhibition at the Tokyo Motor Show Nov. 30 – Dec.

Never get wet again. Guaranteed

We honestly don't know if this is for real or an incredibly well done spoof. Either way, it's well worth a watch. Despite looking like a bad Halloween pumpkin outfit, the waterproof, er...

De Puniet, Espargaro to Ride Aprilia-powered Aspar CRT MotoGP Racebike

The Aspar racing team announced the signing of Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró to compete in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship on a CRT racebike powered by Aprilia engines. De Puniet (pictured above with his Playboy model girlfriend Lauren Vickers) rode a mystery race bike for Aspar this week at a MotoGP test, believed to be a modified version of Aprilia‘s WSBK-spec RSV4 with MotoGP-issue Bridgestone tires and carbon brakes. CRT rules require the use of a prototype chassis, so the Aspar machine cannot use the RSV4′s chassis.

KTM Announces Three-Rider Moto3 Factory Team

KTM will enter the three-rider lineup of Sandro Cortese, Arthur Sissis and Danny Kent in the 2012 Moto3 class in the manufacturer’s return to Grand Prix road racing. The Austrian manufacturer last competed in the World Championship in 2009, racing in the 125cc Grand Prix class. KTM’s return comes as the 125cc class is being replaced with the new 250cc Moto3 class.

Rossi's WRC Fiesta for the Monza Rally

Valentino Rossi has been testing his WRC-spec Ford Fiesta rally car ahead of this weekend's Monza Rally Show. From the pictures, showing smoke pouring from the wheels, it is easy to tell that Rossi was taking the Fiesta to it's limit before he faces off against rally legend Sebastien Loeb and the rest of the entries, including multiple champions from the car racing world alongside the familiar faces of Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone. Rossi's Ford Fiesta looks mean in matte black with the bright colours typical of his AGV helmets.

We'd rather buy a car from Obama

I've read some weird and tenuous press-releases in my time but this is up there with the best. According to a survey by YouGov for free-ads site CraigsList, we'd rather buy a car from Barack Obama than David Cameron. 2,000 people were surveyed here in the UK and YouGov asked two related questions.

Bayliss and Marinelli Part Two: Technical Features of the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale [Video]

A couple of days ago, we shared a fun video featuring three-time World Superbike Champ Troy Bayliss and Ernesto Marinelli, head of Ducati’s superbike program talking about the new 1199 Panigale. While that video was cute with some entertaining interaction between the two long-time collaborators, it was rather light on information about Ducati’s latest superbike. Today, we have a second, lengthier video featuring Marinelli and Bayless offering a more technical look at the Ducati 1199 Panigale.

2011 ZX-10R + Leo Vince GP Pro dyno video

Yesterday I was at PDQ, running the ZX-10R up on the dyno with the new Leo Vince GP Pro fitted. You can see the PDQ dyno graphs here. It's a Leo Vince GP Pro end can plus decat pipe.

Tron Light Cycle From New Electric Motorcycle Company; Evolve

Escaping our EICMA coverage until now is this iridescent stunner, a running model of the Light Cycles seen in the movie, Tron. Constructed of fiberglass, rolling on 32-inch hubless wheels and powered by a 60ah lithium ion battery system and 40,000w motor, Evolve claims the standard Xenon has a top speed of 70mph, a range of 30 miles and a three-hour charge time. For $55,000 you can order a standard Xenon from Evolve or, for $10,000 more, you can get the XR model which increases range up to 100 miles with a 120ah battery pack, which requires one additional hour of charge time.

Alpinestars Giving Away Large Luggage Bag Full of Moto Goodies

Called the “Always Ride Free” Global Travel Luggage Giveaway, Alpinestars is filling one of its XL Excursion roller bags full of stuff motorcyclists might like, then giving it away in a sweepstakes. A second giveaway will go to a friend of the winner. Alpinestars says the bag will get stuffed with “thousands of dollars worth” of essential items necessary to complete an epic ride.

Suzuki Giving Away a Motorcycle in Thanksgiving Weekend Promotion

Looking for something to be thankful for? How does a new Suzuki motorcycle sound? American Suzuki is giving away a brand new motorcycle as part of a Thanksgiving weekend promotion.

Yamaha Customer Information Leaked – Personal Data for 607 Japanese Customers Compromised

Yamaha has confirmed the personal information of 607 customers in Japan was leaked to a third party. According to Yamaha, personal information for recall and product improvement measures was leaked byYamaha Motorcycle Sales Japan Co., the manufacturer’s domestic group company. The information including names, mailing addresses, vehicle names and VIN, and dealership information for 607 customer accounts in the Aichi, Fukuoka and Kagoshima prefectures were received by an anonymous third party via fax on Nov.

JCR Honda Wins 2011 SCORE Baja 1000 [Video]

Josh Burns of our sister site Off-Road.com was in Mexico to cover the 2011 SCORE Baja 1000. He sent us this report of the motorcycle results. For more, check out Off-Road.com and the related reading links at the bottom of this post.

Honda NC700S and NC700X Coming to Canada – US Availability Still Uncertain

American Honda has not included the recently revealed NC700S and NC700X models in its 2012 list of offerings, but it looks like the two motorcycles will be available in Canada. Honda Canada has not made an official announcement but a dealership in Kelowna, B.C., has published a press release that appears to have come directly from Honda Canada saying the two models will be available in Canada in the summer of 2012. (EDIT: Honda Canada has confirmed the NC700 models will be at the Toronto Motorcycle Show Dec.

2011 ZX-10R + Leo Vince GP Pro on the dyno

Took the 10R to PDQ today to get it up on the dyno now that I've got the Leo Vince pipe on. A couple of months ago I not only fitted the ZX-10R GP Pro end-can but also the decat link-pipe as the 10R's standard cat is mahoosive and I was after good gains - which you never get if you keep the cat. However, I wanted gains with one caveat; at 80mph I didn't want it to sound like like I'm in a rush to line up on the BSB grid.

Yamaha Recaps Josh Hayes’ 2011 AMA Superbike Championship [Video]

Yamaha released a video looking back at Josh Hayes’ 2011 AMA Superbike season culminating with his second consecutive championship. The video takes a round-by-round look back at the season as Hayes and his Yamaha R1 duked it out with essentially a phalanx of Suzuki GSX-R1000 riders led by seven-race winner Blake Young. Highlights include the hard-fought duel between Hayes and Young at Mid-Ohio, Hayes and Tommy Hayden swapping the lead on the final lap at Laguna Seca and the title-clinching finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

Troy Bayliss and Ernesto Marinelli on the Ducati 1199 Panigale [Video]

Three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss and Ducati Superbike Project Director Ernesto Marinelli sat down together to talk about the new Ducati 1199 Panigale in a new video released by the Bologna manufacturer. The video was shot in a split screen format with the two men answering questions about Ducati‘s new superbike. Of course, the video feature the two lauding superlatives on the 1199, but it does offer some amusing moments such as Bayliss’ “Superquadro” face pictured above and the two men doing their impressions of how the Panigale sounds rocketing down the straight of the Mugello circuit.

2012 Honda Fireblade and NC700X launch

I'm chucking a few essential items into my massive stuffa bag, ready to go to Portimao tomorrow for the International launch of not just the Honda NC700X but also the new Fireblade, too. You couldn't fathom two bikes at further ends of the scale. One all about performance and speed, the other about user-friendliness and thrift.