Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

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.

Wayne Gardner and Moriwaki Reunite for Second Generation of Racers

Former Grand Prix World Champion Wayne Gardner is turning to a familiar team to help his sons’ racing careers. In 1981, then 22-year-old Australian racer Gardner teamed up with Moriwaki Engineering, competing in the United Kingdom as well as racing in the Daytona 200. For Gardner, Moriwaki opened the door to an international racing career that produced 18 Grand Prix victories and the 1987 500cc World Championship.

AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Adds Five Members in 2011 Class

The American Motorcyclist Association inducted five new members to its Hall of Fame while also honoring two racing legends and existing members of the Hall during the 2011 AMA Legends & Champions Weekend. A sold out crowd at the Nov. 18 induction ceremony at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas saw Phil Schilling, Stu Peters, Fred Fox, Norbert Schickel and Doug Polen get enshrined into the Hall of Fame for their contributions to motorcycling.

Hopkins Signs with Crescent Suzuki WSBK Team

American John Hopkins has re-signed with U.K.-based Crescent Suzuki to compete in the 2012 World Superbike Championship. Hopkins raced with Crescent Suzuki this season in the British Superbike Championship, posting an impressive 16 podium appearances including five wins to finish second in the series. His BSB success earned Hopkins wildcard rides in WSBK and MotoGP.

2012 Suzuki Inazuma 250 Announced for UK

Suzuki announced the European version of its GW250 “Baby B-King” entry-level naked where it will be sold as the Inazuma 250. Unveiled at the NEC Show in the U.K., the 2012 Suzuki Inazuma 250 brings back the name Suzuki used for its GSX naked models. Like the larger displacement GSXs however, the new, littlest Inazuma does not appear to be coming to North America.

Nicky Hayden and Ducati’s Panigale Come to Hollywood

  (Post updated with new photographs) When it comes to throwing a party, the small boutique manufacturer from Bologna has a penchant for the glamorous. Choosing Drai’s rooftop nightclub for the U.S. unveiling of the 1199  Panigale superbike, Ducati raised the bar in motorcycle swankiness.

Zero-mile Ducati 996 SPS for sale

Funny how everytime I end up browsing the classifieds I end up on something I most definitely can't afford. Case in point, this zero-mile 996 SPS. It's been in a private collection since new and looks mint.

Remember push starts?

Alongside the most stunning collection of race and road bikes at their Motegi museum, next to some race bikes, Honda also has a step by step guide on most aspects of riding. I photographed the wonderful text on push starting but I also have lots of equally hilarious instructions on cornering braking and even what a riders goal should be. Watch this space...... oh, and hopefully see you at the NEC over the next ten days!  

Top 10 Videos of New Motorcycles from EICMA 2011

Top 10 Videos of New Motorcycles from EICMA 20111 of 11Next Last The two-wheeled orgasm that is EICMA is over, and now comes the waiting for the sexy new machines on display to arrive. You’ve seen our EICMA 2011 coverage (and if you haven’t yet, tsk, tsk!), read the juicy details and gazed longingly at the photographs. But how do these new models look in motion?

Yamaha and Star Riding Assc. Set For 5th Annual Feed the Children Food Drop

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., along with the Star Touring and Riding association, join forces for the fifth year to support the charitable organization Feed the Children in a food drop to benefit needy Orange County, Calif., residents. The event takes place today, Friday, November, 18th. More from Yamaha on the food drop: Each year, Yamaha’s employees donate monies on a monthly basis for “Feed The Children blue jean Friday” which raises enough each year to support a tractor trailer semi truck loaded with food and hygiene products for local Orange County residents in need.

2005-2009 CFMOTO CF250T Automatic Motorcycles Recalled for Non-Standard Brake Controls

Chinese manufacturer CFMOTO is recalling 6,405 motorcycles because the rear brakes controls do not comply with federal requirements. The rear brakes on 2005-2009 CFMOTO CF250T V3 and CF250T V5 models are controlled by a hand lever on the left handlebar instead of a right foot control. The CF250T V3 and V5 use automatic continuously variable transmissions and thus do not have a clutch that would be operated by a left hand lever like on conventional motorcycles.

Regis Philbin Crashing a Vespa [Video]

Regis Philbin retired today after a long career as television host and host of “Live with Regis and Kelly” (and formerly “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee”. Before his final show, Philbin visited the “Late Show with David Letterman” where the fellow New York City-based TV icon presented him with a shiny new red Vespa. Always game for anything, Philbin put on a helmet and hopped for his first ride on his new scoot … before bailing out after traveling about ten feet.

Suzuki Confirms MotoGP Departure – Hope of 2014 Return

As expected, Suzuki has officially announced its withdrawal from MotoGP racing, though the Japanese manufacturer says it plans to return to the world championship in 2014. Suzuki cites the recession, the value of the Japanese Yen and a series of natural disasters as reasons for suspending its MotoGP program for at least two years. Reports of Suzuki’s withdrawal began circulating earlier this week with some staff members reportedly receiving notice late last week, but signs of Suzuki’s impending withdrawal have been around for over a year.

New: Arai Tour X-4 helmet

Arai have relased the specs of their new Tour-X 4, and you can see the helmet at Motorcycle Live. The new helmet, popular with Adventure-style riders gets quite a few changes, including a completely new shell. It also features Arai's new FCS system which essentisally changes the shape and orientation of the cheek pads to improve fit.

New: Shark Speed-R helmet

SHARK have just released this new helmet, the Speed-R. We love the paintjob, here's what they have to say about it: Speed –R: Brand new and oozing with style the Speed –R joins SHARK replacing the RSI range. Over the past year the French company has completely overhauled its look with the introduction of three new fibre helmets; Race –R Pro, Race –R, Vision –R, and the Speed –R is the new fibre composite kid on the block.

Pirelli Announces Ducati Panigale Will Use Updated Diablo Supercorsa Tire

  Pirelli recently unveiled the latest version of its Diablo Supercorsa tire. The high-performance tire is designed primarily for racing and performance-oriented street riding. The newest member of the Diablo family was presented during EICMA 2011 at Pirelli’s flagship retail location, PZero Moda store, opened this past September on the famed Corso Venezia in Milan.

MotoGP Makes Brake Lever Protection Mandatory

The International Motorcycling Federation announced a number of rule updates for the MotoGP World Championship including mandatory brake lever protection. Lever protectors would stop the brake lever from being accidentally pressed in the case of a collision with another racer, preventing a sudden braking or lockup of the front wheel. The new regulation leaves the design of the lever protector open; they may be bolt-on guards or even an extended fairing, so long as the technical director deems it safe.

2012 MV Agusta F3, F3 Serie Oro US Pricing Announced – But No Sign of Brutale 675

MV Agusta has released U.S. pricing information for its new F3 675 supersport and limited edition Serie Oro variant, but those looking for the Brutale 675 naked version may be disappointed. The 2012 MV Agusta F3 675 will be available at American dealerships for $13,498 while the Serie Oro version will be more than twice the price at $27,900.

Brammo Empulse Named to PopSci Best Of What’s New Awards

“Popular Science” magazine has named the Brammo Empulse to its annual “Best of What’s New” awards. The Empulse is one of 100 winners chosen and one of 11 (and the only motorcycle) named in the automotive category. The Brammo Empulse 10.0  (MSRP $13,995) was commended for its 100 mph top speed and 100 mile range claims.

Alpinestars Tech Air Race Suit Wins PopSci Best of What’s New Honor

Alpinestars’ Tech Air suit has been included in “Popular Science” magazine’s Best of What’s New list for its coming December 2011 issue. The MotoGP-derived wireless airbag-equipped racing suit was one of eight products named in the annual award’s “Recreation” category for its safety features. The Tech Air suit tracks the wearer’s body movements.

Yamaha EC-Miu Electric Trike Scooter Concept to Debut in Tokyo

Yamaha is presenting a new electric scooter concept model at the Tokyo Motor Show in December. The Yamaha EC-Miu concept will debut alongside two other concepts, the XTW250 RYOKU and the Y125 MOEGI. The Yamaha EC-Miu is an electric trike, with two wheels at the rear, a design choice Yamaha says makes for a “stable, easy ride that women will especially enjoy”.

Yamaha XTW250 RYOKU Concept – the SUV Motorcycle

Yamaha is debuting a new heavy-duty utility motorcycle concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Described as the “SUV motorcycle”, the Yamaha XTW250 RYOKU was designed to carry heavy loads for both on and off the road. The concept’s name suggests it may share elements of Yamaha’s XT250 and TW200 dual sports.

Yamaha Y125 MOEGI Concept to Debut at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

Yamaha had a relatively tame showing at the recent EICMA Milan show, with an updated TMax as the Tuning Fork Company’s biggest reveal. The upcoming Tokyo Motor Show (Dec. 3-11) promises to be more interesting with Yamaha showcasing three new concepts including the Y125 MOEGI pictured here.