Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

2012 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Corse Edition Announced

Ducati is introducing a new track-ready Corse Edition of the Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP for 2012. The 2012 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Corse Edition comes dressed in red, white and black colors (similar to the Pikes Peak edition Multistrada). Otherwise, the Corse Edition is mechanically similar to the 2011 Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP.

KTM Presents 250cc Moto3 Engine

KTM revealed its new 250cc four-stroke engine that will be used in the Moto3 World Championship which is set to replace the 125cc class in 2012. The single cylinder engine is all new and not a repurposed motor from KTM‘s 250cc offroad engine portfolio and is said to weigh just 55 pounds. Official specs were not released, but Moto3 regulations dictate a maximum bore of 81mm, a rev limit of 14,000rpm.

2012 MV Agusta F4 R Corsa Corta Revealed

MV Agusta has announced the 2012 edition of its F4 sportbike featuring the new “Corsa Corta” engine from the F4 RR. The 2012 MV Agusta F4 R Corsa Corta engine has a 79mm bore and a stroke of 50.9mm, compared to the 76mmx55mm engine found on the previous F4, last updated in 2010. The engine uses titanium valves, a first for production engines, and is paired to a new 4-2-1-4 exhaust with the F4′s signature underseat pipes.  According to MV Agusta, the new Corsa Corta engine produces 195 hp at 13,000 rpm and 82.6 ft-lb.

World Superbike Championship Rebranding Itself for 25th Anniversary

The World Superbike Championship is getting a branding makeover for 2012 as the production-based racing series marks its 25th anniversary. The rebranding efforts will include a new logo as well as a new look for its television broadcasts. According to series promoter Infront Sports & Media, the new look “will be launched as a symbol for the on-gong development and innovation of the series”.

New: Alpinestars Lucerne Drystar jacket

Alpinestars have launched another textile jacket into their range. The Lucerne Jacket features zippered ventilation panels and slim, lightweight Bio Armor protectors. The Drystar lining is breathable but keeps water out.

Electric Scooter Startup Evolve Launching with Three Models

New York-based Evolve Motorcycles is set to launch with an initial product lineup of three electric scooter models. Founded by Benjamin Plum, Mazdack Rassi and Lex Kendall, Evolve will premiere its new Titanium, Neon and Helium electric scooters and preview two future design concepts at a launch event Oct. 6 in New York City.

Schuberth SR1 Racing Helmet & S2 Full-Face Road Helmet

  Schuberth helmets has announced the forthcoming additions to its North American offerings including the top secret S2, the roadracing SR1, the C3 World Graphic and the auto racing SF1. The S2 made only a brief debut and pictures were restricted but the full-face sibling to Schuberth’s C3 modular helmet was given its first public appearance to the dismay of those back home in Germany. The S2 replaces Schuberth’s S1 helmet introduced in 2002.

New: Knox Zero OutDry gloves

Check out these new Winter gloves from Knox. Knox have pioneered OutDry technology for winter gloves with their Zero, launched earlier this year.  Based on a patented lamination process, the waterproof and breathable membrane is bonded directly to the glove’s external shell by the action of pressure and temperature, preventing water from collecting between the outer shell and membrane. Featuring the dialled-in Boa Closure system that uses a dial to draw ‘side pods’ over the wrist for multi-adjustable closure, helping to eliminate tight spots and restriction to blood flow, which can contribute to cold hands and fingers.With drum-dyed aniline leather on the fingers and back of the hand, and a tough yet supple goat leather and Amara Grip Pad with silicon for increased feel and grip on the controls, the Zero uses top grade materials.

Used: Forcefield Pro L2 back protector review

Back in 2004 I was at the peak of my crashing days, managing to fall off a motorcycle with alarming regularity. I just had to look at a motorcycle and I'd fall over. I picked up this Forcefield after putting a rather worrying dent in my Knox Stowaway having landed on a tree-stump.

The Kenny Roberts electric (push) bike

£5,800 - that's the cost of this KR limited edition Picycle. So what is it? It's an innovative push-bike that's also got battery power (for those steep hills or trips home from the pub).

AMA Monster Energy Cup: Anything Goes for $1 Million Prize

AMA Pro Racing has released a new supplemental rules package for the Oct. 15 Monster Energy Cup race at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. In short?

Limited Edition 2012 Royal Enfield Bullet C5 Chrome and Desert Storm

Royal Enfield has released a two new limited edition versions of its Bullet C5 Classic. The Royal Enfield Bullet C5 Chrome (also known as the Royal Enfield Classic Chrome in other markets) is based on the regular retro-styled Bullet C5 Classic but with chrome tank,  fenders and side covers as well as hand-painted pinstripes and accents. Consumers will have the choice between the red and chrome version pictured here or black and chrome.

Ducati Teases New Monster for Asian Market

Ducati will unveil a new Monster model for the Asian market, expected to be called the 795. The Italian manufacturer has a new micro-site (http://www.monster.ducati.com/) displaying the shrouded image above along with a countdown ticking off the days until the Oct. 20 launch event in Sepang, Malaysia.

Josh Hayes to Test Tech 3 Yamaha M1

Two-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes has been invited to test Colin Edwards’ Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 at the MotoGP post-season test. Tech 3 principal Herve Poncharal told MCN Hayes will get to ride a few laps on the Yamaha M1 Nov. 7 at the end of season test at Spain’s Valencia circuit.

Used: Alpinestars Supertech R boots

I've worn these Alpinestars Supertech R boots for my season racing in the 848 Challenge and up until the last race of the season, they were looking in great shape! When I tried on a pair of Supertechs a few years ago, they were the first boots I'd worn with a separate inner and outer. At first I didn't get on with them for two reasons: I felt like they took an age to get on and didn't like the feeling of 'slip' between the inner booty and the outer.

Stoner explains the tank slapper

Casey Stoner looked all set to win at Motegi, after translating his pole position into an early race-lead. But coming over the crest on the back straight his bike momentarily lost control in a tank slapper. Regaining composure the championship leader was forced to pump his brakes to get the pads back in place, with the rear-wheel bouncing in the air he ran out of time and space to make the 90 degree right hander and was forced to run into the gravel.

2012 BMW G650GS Sertão Announced

BMW has unveiled a new more off-road oriented version of the G650GS. Named for a dry backlands region of northeastern Brazil, the 2012 BMW G650GS Sertão adds longer-travel suspension and wire-spoke wheels to make it a more capable machine for off-road adventure riding. The Sertão’s 41mm fork offers over 210mm of travel compared to the regular G650GS’ 170mm.

2011 World Supersport Champion Chaz Davies

Chaz Davies has captured the 2011 Supersport World Championship, completing a triumphant return to the series for Yamaha. Davies, the 2008 Daytona 200 winner, finished the Magny-Cours round in sixth place, giving him an insurmountable 35-point lead over Hannspree Ten Kate Honda‘s Fabien Foret with one race remaining. The championship comes in Yamaha‘s return from a one-year absence from the series.

2011 World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa

Carlos Checa has won the 2011 World Superbike Championship and secured Ducati its 17th manufacturer title. The Althea Ducati rider secured the title with a win in Race One of the Oct. 2 Magny-Cours round in France, and then captured the manufacturer title with another win in Race Two.

KTM Signs Ryan Dungey for 2012-2013 AMA Supercross and Motocross Seasons

KTM has signed Ryan Dungey to a two-year contract to race in the 2012-2013 AMA Supercross and Motocross seasons. The deal reunites Dungey with team manager and motocross icon Roger DeCoster. Dungey and DeCoster share a connection that goes back to 2006 when the former world champion recruited Dungey for the Suzuki factory racing team.

Having a blast on the KTM Duke 125

With young Taylor finally lifting my riding ban from his 125 Duke last week (I snapped the gear lever off in a failed garden stunt), I’ve been clocking up a few miles on what surely is the ‘must have’ learner bike of 2011. Last week I hopped aboard for a jaunt into the heart of Leicester where you can still park bikes for free then walk to all the major shops in minutes. I needed to appear in person at the main Post Office for an International Driving Permit as I found out without one; I couldn’t drive during my trip up coming trip to the Japanese Grand Prix.

Yamaha Motor USA to Swallow Up Yamaha Canada

Yamaha’s board of directors has voted in transfer all shares of its Canadian subsidiary to its American subsidiary, a move which would give Yamaha Motor U.S.A. responsibility over the entire North American market. The proposed transfer, set to begin in December,  will make Yamaha Motor Canada a subsidiary of its American counterpart.

Recall for 2009-2011 Yamaha V-Max

Yamaha is issuing a recall campaign on certain 2009-2011 V-Max power cruisers due to a potential risk of oil pump malfunction. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, abnormally high oil pressure can build up within the oil pump of certain Yamaha V-Max models. The high pressure may force the washer on the oil pump shaft against the oil pump housing, causing oil to stop pumping through the engine.

Honda Canada to Launch CBR250R Racing Series

Honda Canada will introduce a new national racing series featuring the CBR250R for 2012. The news is no surprise as Honda has been running a CBR125R Challenge racing series as a support class for the Canadian Superbike Championship since 2008. With the CBR250R on the market for nearly a year (and reportedly doing quite well at that), a racing series featuring the quarter-liter sportbike was almost inevitable.

Streetfighter 848, with added bling

Now, you could hardly accuse the Streetfighter of not being good-looking, but for those of you who want a little more, Ducati have - of course - produced a range of aftermarket accessories to add a bit of bling to the already fairly tasty Streetfighter 848.Most of the Japanese aftermarket add-ons (or genuine accessories as they're known) are either too conservative or remarkably pointless. Let's take the fake-carbon clock surround on the CBR600RR or body-coloured pillion seat hump on the R1 as examples from a list of thousands.However, the bits bolted onto this Ducati look the part and give it an extra air of brutality and not a single centimetre of rim tape in sight.Check out the pics below; that seat unit is a work of art.

2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 Photo Gallery

Update: The review is now up! Read it here. Ducati has released a series of photos of the new Streetfighter 848 from the naked model’s European press launch.

This Used to be a Triumph Daytona 675 Race Bike [Video]

Crashes occur fairly often during motorcycle races but rarely do we see a race bike get as spectacularly demolished as this Triumph Daytona 675. The crash took place during the Sept.  11 Donington Park round of the Triumph Triple Challenge, a support class in the British Superbike series featuring the Triumph Daytona 675. Rider Ash Beech low sides going into a corner and thankfully slides relatively safely into the grass.

2012 Honda Ace CB125 and Ace CB125-D – $627 Motorcycles for African Market

Honda announced two low-priced small-displacement motorcycles to be produced and sold in Nigeria. The Honda Ace CB125 and Ace CB125-D were developed to be affordable, durable, easy to use and offer good fuel economy. Honda will introduce the CB125 and CB125-D at about 100,000 Nigerian naira (US$627), a price point that Honda expects to be affordable for many Nigerians, with the manufacturer targeting annual sales of 100,000 units.

Zero Enters South American Market

Zero Motorcycles has signed a distribution deal with the Brazilian dealer network Grupo Izzo, bringing its electric motorcycles to first Brazil, and soon across South America. Brazil is one of the world’s fastest growing markets for motorcycles, a market Zero hopes to tap with its new distribution deal. Grupo Izzo is based mainly in Brazil with 11 locations, but has plans to expand into other South American countries.

2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 MSRP Set at $12,995

Ducati is pricing its new Streetfighter 848 at $12,995, the same price as the 2011 848 EVO and $2,000 less than the original 1099cc Streetfighter. The new 2012 Ducati Streetfighter 848 is equipped with a Testastretta Evoluzione engine similar to the one powering the 848 EVO but tuned to produce a claimed 132 hp and 69 ft-lb. (compared to the s848′s 140hp and 72.3 ft-lb.) In comparison, the 1199cc Streetfighter has a claimed output of 155 hp and 85 ft-lb.