Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

New book: Moto GP Yesterday & Today

Moto GP Yesterday & Today by Michael Scott As Valentino Rossi says in the foreward, from day one, the spirit of racing has never changed. In one of the last surviving gladiatorial sports, motorcycle racers still strive to be the best by being the strongest, the fastest and often risk everything by being the bravest. This has never changed, but nearly everything else in Moto GP has.

Off-Road Riders Facing Two Fights

Off-road motorcyclists are no doubt used to fighting for their right to ride and now they face two significant salvos – a potential end of the dedicated funding for recreational trails and a proposal that could block riding on public land in nine states. We’ll look at the trail funding first. According to the American Motorcyclist Association, the U.S.

The future. But we can't have it

It's no secret that we motorcyclists are getting older. We're ageing because less people are passing their bike test each year (roughly 30,000 last year compared to 50,000 for the 10 years before the new two-part test) and so not only is the pool not growing it's not even being replenished and so the average age isn't being diluted down by yoof. When the going gets tough in any situation, you really get to see who's got their shit-sorted and who's light enough on their feet to adapt to change.

CRP Racing “Energica” Unveiled At EICMA 2011

Usually new technology seen in racing eventually trickles down to consumer vehicles after a few years of development and testing. What happens then when an entire motorcycle makes the transition from race bike to street bike? The answer is the $20,400 Energica, an all-electric sportbike from Italian manufacturer CRP Racing.

Honda to Unveil Electric Sportbike Concept at Tokyo Motor Show

Honda is set to unveil seven electric-powered concept vehicles at the upcoming 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, including a sportbike that has piqued our interest. According to Honda, the RC-E concept is a version of a sportbike that “pursues the joy of riding.” Honda says the RC-E will offer a powerful and smooth ride unique to an EV model and features a 250cc-class compact body. We’ll provide more details of the RC-E concept as they become available.

Honda Recalls Small Number of the 2010 NT700 for Incorrect Tire Specs Label

  On October 27, 2011, Honda filed a recall campaign with the NHTSA (campaign ID number: 11V526000) involving the 2010 model-year NT700. The recall is for a swingarm-mounted label that displays incorrect tire size and inflation information. The 120 affected models were manufactured Nov.

Yamaha Recalls V Star 950, V Star 1300 and Super Tenere For Possible Fuel Leak

On Oct. 28th, 2011 Yamaha filed a recall campaign with the NHTSA (campaign ID number: 11V533000)  regarding possible fuel leaks on 2009 thru 2012 model-year V Star 950 and V Star 950 Tourer manufactured October 2008 through August 2011. The recall also includes the 2007 V Star 1300 model with manufacture dates August 2006 to March 2007.

The (Italian) girls of EICMA: Part 2

It's not often a scooter catches your eye like the BMW C600 but that's because it's not often that Marco Melandri's girlfriend is standing next to it. EICMA can only mean one thing: new motorcycles. Oh and a handful of girls draped over them..

How do 1000s compare to the 800s

Now MotoGP has completed its transformation from 800 to 1000cc, how do the lap times between the different bikes compare using Valencia and the post-season test as a benchmark.. Yesterday, Dani Pedrosa was the quickest 1000 on his Honda RC213V setting a time of 1:32.186. To find the quickest time from the outgoing 800 era you have to look at his current Repsol Honda team-mate, Casey Stoner, but it wasn't set on a Honda.

2012 Yamaha TMax Scooter Unveiled At EICMA

Not one to rest on its laurels, Yamaha’s sportbike/scooter hybrid, the TMax, was unveiled earlier today at EICMA with a few important upgrades to keep it ahead of the competition. The most apparent change from the previous generation TMax is the redesigned bodywork, which boasts an even more aggressive look while maintaining the classic TMax looks. The distinctive double headlights, enhanced accent lines, and an upwards-swooping LED tail assembly all lend to highlight the TMax’s sporting nature.

EICMA 2011: KTM 690 Duke Unveiled

First, the good news: KTM has taken the covers off the 690 Duke at the EICMA show in Milan this morning. The machine is almost entirely all-new from the ground up and, KTM says, brings the company back to its street bike beginnings. KTM’s venerable 690cc LC4 single-cylinder engine is the obvious choice for power, only now it puts out a claimed 70hp and 51 lbs.-ft.

EICMA 2011: KTM Freeride-E Unveiled

It was only a matter of time before a major manufacturer took the plunge and developed its own electric motorcycle. Well, that time is now. Introduced at EICMA 2011, KTM has unveiled the Freeride-E.

EICMA 2011: Kawasaki Versys 1000 Not Coming to U.S.

While Kawasaki unveiled its Versys 1000 at EICMA, don’t expect to see it on American roadways any time soon (edit: but if you live north of the border in Canada you’re in luck, as it will offered for CN$13,999, a bit higher than the Z1000 but the same price as the Ninja 1000): What will we be missing? A bigger, badder version of the original Kawasaki Versys seems to be the answer. “Created as the long-awaited big brother of Kawasaki’s mid-size any-road street surfer, the new Versys 1000 is designed to enable the greatest riding enjoyment in the widest variety of street riding situations,” Kawasaki Motors Europe says in a release.

Valentino Rossi's prototype AGV helmet

Hidden amongst the AGV stand was the prototype for a possible next-generation helmet, developed by Valentino Rossi and named 'Project 46'.Accompanying the glass protected helmet was an Italian description for the experimental AGV, saying that the visor has a larger aperture and the helmet has an 'exclusive' ergonomic design that makes the 'Project 46' the most aerodynamic lid in its class, in what AGV believe will 'establish a new standard'.

Milan: Yoshimura special GSX-R600

Celebrating their success at the Suzuka 8hr (last year), Suzuki in their longterm partnership with Yoshimura have put together this trick looking GSX-R600. The Gixxer six has been treated to the full Yoshimura race-kit alongside a host of other parts. Everything about this special is perfect; from the cool Yoshi paintscheme down to the faux race-headlight.

2012 Honda VFR1200F Returns With Some New Features

When Honda first introduced the VFR1200F late in 2009, Editor Duke was an instant believer in the machine’s capabilities. It blurred the line between sportbike and tourer, and the addition of a true dual-clutch transmission that actually works was truly a surprise. Honda is bringing the VFR back for 2012, much to our pleasure, and thankfully the company has spent the past two years developing some subtle but significant changes to it.

EICMA 2011: Vespa Quarantasei Concept – The Future of Vespa

Vespa has built a reputation for classic, retro-styled scooters, trading on its iconic styling. The Quarantasei concept unveiled at EICMA however is a look toward ahead, and possibly the most futuristic looking Vespa ever. The Quarantasei is named for the number 46, which represents the year Vespa first began producing scooters.

Honda Announces More New-Model Releases For 2012

Lost in all the hoopla surrounding the new models being released at EICMA this week, Honda has announced details about a few more models in its 2012 lineup: the CB1000R, CBR250R, Silver Wing scooter and the Ruckus, along with the cutting-edge VFR1200F that receives an infusion of impressive new technology for 2012 (which we’ll highlight in a separate blog entry). All of which are returning models from 2011. Pricing is yet to be determined.

2012 BMW C600 Sport and C650GT Scooter Preview

While Japanese OEMs persist in their cautiousness, BMW continues its assault on new markets, most recently with its incredible S1000RR literbike. Over the past four years, the German company has nearly doubled its 500cc-plus market share from about 7% to 13%, and the 2011 model year is on pace to set a sales record of more than 103,000 motorcycles. For 2012, BMW enters the lucrative scooter segment with a pair of twin-cylinder maxi-scoots claimed to combine the agility and comfort of a scooter with the riding qualities of a motorcycle.

2012 Triumph Speed Triple R Unveiled at EICMA

Triumph’s legendary Speed Triple receives the ‘R’ treatment for 2012, which means it comes equipped with top-shelf parts like Öhlins suspension and Pirelli Supercorsa SP rubber. Judging from its looks alone, it’s plain to see that this is no ordinary Speed Triple. Triumph worked in close collaboration with Öhlins, to fine tune the NIX30 43mm fork and TTX36 shock to work specifically for the Speed Triple R.

2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer Unveiled at EICMA

Powered by an all-new 1215cc three-cylinder engine producing a class-leading 135bhp with 89lb-ft. of torque, the Tiger Explorer sports a high specification that Triumph thinks will set a new benchmark in the adventure touring class. The thoroughly modern powerplant utilizes a new ride-by-wire electronic throttle system, allowing for a number of high-tech rider aids for added rider safety and comfort.

Harley-Davidson’s New Facebook App Allows Fans to Shape H-D Marketing

Harley-Davidson has advanced its “crowdsourcing” marketing strategy to the next phase.  The Motor Company announced today Fan Machine, a new app for its Facebook presence. The app is a conduit for fan-submitted marketing ideas.

EICMA 2011: Honda NC700X Unveiled

Alongside the Honda NC700S at EICMA comes the NC700X, a “crossover” model with better off-road capability. Like the NC700S, the 2012 Honda NC700X is powered by Honda’s new 670cc parallel Twin engine. Honda designed the engine to be highly efficient, with optimal performance at speeds up to 87 mph and the engine revving up to 6000 rpm, a range Honda’s research found accounts for 90% of an average commuter’s uses.

EICMA 2011: Honda NC700S Breaks Cover

Honda unveiled a new mid-sized naked standard using the 670cc parallel Twin engine and second-generation dual-clutch transmission. The new Honda NC700S is powered by the same 670cc Twin engine as the Integra motorcycle/scooter crossover and the NC700X. Designed to be lightweight and fuel-efficient, Honda claims an output of 46.9 hp at 6250 rpm and 44.3 ft-lb.

2012 Zero Electric Motorcycle Lineup Unveiled [Video]

Zero Motorcycles has unveiled its 2012 lineup of five electric motorcycles. Zero boasts a host of new features, included extended ranges, more power and increased top speeds. Click here to see photos of each of the new 2012 models.

2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale Unveiled

Here it is, the long-awaited and much-hyped 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale, unveiled just this morning as preparations are underway to begin the EICMA show in Milan all this week. The new flagship for Ducati was uncovered to the public alongside the entire 2012 range in a stylish press conference at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan, Italy.Ducati President Gabriele del Torchio took the honor of introducing the new machine, but not before announcing that, despite global economic troubles, “2011 has been the most successful year in the history of Ducati.” “Sales of approximately 42,000 motorcycles have generated revenues of €480m (approx. $660m), a 20% increase over the previous year and just reward for our highly innovative products.

Rossi runs special Simoncelli tribute helmet

During the 10 o'clock trial laps today, Valentino ran with a new helmet dedicated to his friend Marco Simoncelli. To demonstrate how much Valentino was affected by the tragedy that hit the Honda rider, Valentino's helmet will be divided in half: the front part of the AGV GP-Tech will be exactly like Marco Simoncelli's, with its red and white motif and ever present number 58, while the back will maintain the colours Valentino used throughout the 2011 season. Vale will use the helmet for all of Valencia's weekend.

Used: Shark Race-R Pro helmet review

I've been wearing this Shark Race-R Pro for 3 months now and clocked up over 2,000 miles on road and track. It's a quality lid right at the top of Shark's range. Its price and spec put it head to head with my Arai RX7-GP.

R1 styling + Ferrari V8 x Lazareth

This mad concept isn't new, but it's recently come up for sale for around £170,000. It was created by French special builders Lazareth and is called the Wazuma V8F. The firm already created the Wazuma R1, using a cross-plane R1 engine but with the V8F they slotted a 3-litre Ferrari V8 in (probably from a 328?).

Make Noise for Marco Sunday – Wave of Engine Revs Around the World for Simoncelli

Earlier in the week, Paolo Simoncelli, father of the late Marco Simoncelli, suggested the MotoGP paddock celebrate his son’s life not with a minute of silence, but with a minute of noise, with all MotoGP bikes revving their engines together this Sunday at 10:30 am local time for the MotoGP season finale in Valencia, Spain. Moto-journalist Mark Gardiner decided to take that idea a step further and suggests making it a global event with motorcyclists around the world revving their engines for a whole minu- no, even better, for 58 seconds – at 10:30 am in their own time zones, creating a wave of engine noise spreading out from Spain all the way to Hawaii 12 hours later.Gardiner is asking motorcyclists everywhere to spread the word. Gardiner started a Facebook page and there’s a #MakeNoiseForMarcoSunday hashmark on Twitter.