Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Winter weather but summer carries on.

Aye, it’s been a another good week in the world of Niall Mackenzie. My friends at Moto Direct sent me a new RST Pro Series suit to try out, I acquired some new rubber for my S10000RR and young Taylor Mac splashed home to 12th place on his Aprilia in the 125cc British Grand Prix. Being no fashion guru and pretty ancient now I’m satisfied the brightest suit I’ve ever climbed into looks the biz.

Motocross: how not to start

Malcolm Stewart, brother of the five-times World Supercross champion,  James 'Bubba' Stewart is pretty tasty on an MX bike but this start kinda suggests otherwise. Here's Malcolm on the start line, getting it a bit wrong. Worth noting he came back from this to finish 7th so he's definitely got some of that Stewart magic, just perhaps, not when it comes to starting..

Ducati Desmosound Exhaust Note Ringtones

Love the sound of a Ducati L-Twin’s Desmodromic roar? Now you can get that as your ringtone. Available now on Ducati.com, you can download audio clips of your favourite Ducati motorcycle for use as your cell phone’s ringtone (you can also hear sound clips of the engine reving or roaring down a race track, but you’ll have to register to download a ringtone).

2010-2011 Honda Shadow VT750 Recall

Honda has initiated a recall campaign for certain 2010-2011 Shadow series cruisers due to a problem with their bank angle sensors. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the bank angle sensors may incorrectly read that the motorcycle is leaning. The bank sensor uses a weighted pendulum that swings into a motorcycle’s lean.

Sykes + ZX-10R on pole at Misano

Sykes hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire with his results in World Superbikes but his pole at Misano is well worth a mention. In the wet - but drying - conditions, Sykes claimed the all-new ZX-10R's first pole position in WSB. Funny then that his last pole was in similar conditions at Imola last season on the old ZX-10R.

Don't become another crime statistic

On average approximately 50,000 motorcycles are stolen each year. They're taken from outside homes, from large urban environments across the countries major cites and highly organised gangs are at the heart of thefts preying on innocent motorcyclists. Experts of motorcycle security, Acumen advise on how to protect your bike: How to reduce the chance of theft Protection is like layers of an onion – the more the layers; the longer it takes.

Ewan McGregor on the MotoGP grid

Film-star and biker Ewan McGregor was spotted around the MotoGP paddock at Silverstone on Sunday. The bike nut, who went around the world on an R1150GS Adventure, was on the grid chatting to riders before the race. Presumably he was there to pass on some Jedi-skills to some of the riders.

Only-one Shinobe?

Stunting and stunt culture aren't really my thing; too many 'cool' people obsessed with being seen but who aren't doing anything that amazing on a bike. Except perhaps this guy; Shin Kinoshita, from Japan. His friends call him Shinobe.

Silverstone MotoGP: Gee, thanks BBC...

Now call me a luddite but I don't have Sky TV, or any of that. Just a TV, with Freeview; I hardly watch any telly. So today I tell my Twitter followers that Silverstone qualifying is on the BBC Red Button, then settle down to watch the MotoGP myself.

2011 Isle of Man TT Recap

The Isle of Man TT usually provides a lot of drama, and this year’s event was no different. John McGuinness, second on the all-time TT wins list, added two more wins to his resume to win the Joey Dunlop Trophy while MotoCzysz once again fell just short of taking the bounty for being the first electric motorcycle team to record a 100 mph lap on the Mountain Course. The 2011 Isle of Man TT also had its share of tragedy with three racing fatalities.

Riding Around the World on a Ducati Multistrada 1200S

The word “Multistrada” is supposed to mean “many roads” in Italian. One man took the term literally, riding his Ducati Mulitstrada 1200S on a 62,000 mile trip around the world. Paolo Pirozzi, the president of the Naples Ducati Dreams Club, is a self-proclaimed professional motorcyclist with over 280,000 miles logged on various Ducati motorcycles.

Brammo Hires Ex-Harley-Davidson Dealer Development Director

Brammo has hired former Harley-Davidson dealer development director Jim Marcolina to develop the electric motorcycle maker’s North American dealer network. Marcolina was director of dealer development and dealer relations at Harley-Davidson after joining the Motor Company as a district sales manager. Brammo will rely on Marcolina’s experience working with Harley-Davidson’s dealer network to help establish its own fledgling network.

Get 25% off a new AGV

You can get 25% off a new AGV by joining their new website www.agv-moto.com The new website, billed 'TEAM AGV' is a new club for all AGV owners and customers; it will give you access to the latest news from AGV, special promotions, events and competitions. TEAM AGV will have a dedicated TEAM AGV DEALER network that will have exclusive access to Ltd edition GP TECH and AX8 models, and will have factory trained technicians ensuring customers get the correct advice and professional fitting when they purchase an AGV. To celebrate the launch of TEAM AGV they're offering a promotion that offers customers a 25% discount off any AGV and will enter you into a competition to win: •    June: A full BSB VIP package, to include paddock passes, BSB hospitality and a lap in the BSB safety car!•    July: A signed, used Guy Martin TT visor•    August: A signed Agostini T2 replica•    September: A signed Rossi K3 replicaAnyone who joins TEAM AGV through the website will also be entered into this competition.

2011 ZX-10R stock dyno run

With 800 miles on the clock and the first service out of the way, I took the ZX-10R to PDQ in Taplow to run it up on the dyno. On the road it feels really fit, quite revvy, plenty torquey enough. Over 8,000rpm it really gets into its stride and takes off.

2012 Yamaha YZ450F Announced

Yamaha gave its YZ450F a major update for 2010 with its reversed engine layout so it should be no surprised the motocrosser received just a few updates for 2012. Besides the usual graphical updates, the 2012 Yamaha YZ450F receives a new exhaust system to meet 94dB competition requirements. Fuel injection settings have also been tweaked for smoother response at low to mid revs.

2012 Yamaha YZ250F Announced

Yamaha revealed its 2012 YZ250F motocross bike with a number of updates. The 2012 Yamaha YZ250F gets several engine refinements including a new 39mm carburetor, compared to the 2011 version’s 37mm carb. The piston and piston pin are said to be lighter, while the connecting rod and counterbalancer are also new.

Chip Yates Electric Superbike Pikes Peak Hill Climb Test [Video]

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Chip Yates and his SWIGZ.com electric superbike completed a two-day test this past weekend to prepare for the June 26 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The June 4-5 test gave teams the chance to practice climbing the 14,110-ft mountain near Colorado Springs.

Piaggio Forms Indonesian Subsidiary

The Piaggio Group has formed a new subsidiary for Indonesia to directly import its scooters and motorcycles to the world’s third largest two-wheeler market. With the new Piaggio Indonesia subsidiary, Piaggio hopes to establish a larger share of the country’s market which bought an estimated 7.4 million scooters and motorcycles in 2010, trailing only China and India. Piaggio had previously been working with third-party importers for its products, but will now enter the market directly, adopting a strategy it followed to large success in Vietnam.

eCaddy Flex Waterproof Smartpone Mount

Motorcycle accessory maker Leader Motorcycle has introduced a new waterproof mount for smartphones. The new eCaddy Flex is compatible with smartphones with a holster and case equipped with a belt clip. The smartphone’s screen is covered by a waterproof protective cover that, according to Leader, still allows operation of the smartphone.

New 2012 Yamaha Zuma 50F Four-Stroke Scooter Unveiled

Yamaha unveiled the new 2012 Zuma 50F four-stroke scooter, the replacement for the two-stroke Zuma. The new 2012 Yamaha Zuma 50F is powered by a 49cc liquid-cooled fuel injected four-stroke engine, an update from the 2011 Zuma’s 49cc air-cooled carbureted two-stroke engine. According to Yamaha, the Zuma 50F claims an estimated 132 mpg compared to the two-stroke Zuma’s claimed 123 mpg.

Yamaha Majesty Scooter Returns for 2012 Lineup

Yamaha is bringing back the Majesty scooter as part of its 2012 lineup. The 395cc scooter was last offered as a 2010 model and it returns for 2012 with a new Charcoal color. Beyond that, the Majesty is unchanged, with its fuel-injected engine and V-belt CVT.

2012 Yamaha XT250 and TW200 Dual Sports Announced

Yamaha unveiled a pair of 2012 dual sport models, the Yamaha XT250 and the Yamaha TW200. Both the 2012 Yamaha XT250 and TW200 remain unchanged from the 2011 versions except for a new white and blue color scheme and white front fenders instead of last year’s black fenders. The XT250 is powered by an air-cooled 249cc four-stroke engine with a 33mm carburetor.

Yamaha Introduces 2012 V Star 950 and V Star Tourer

Yamaha revealed the first 2012 models from its Star Motorcycles brand of cruisers, the V Star 950 and V Star 950 Tourer. The 2012 V Star 950 (and the more touring-oriented V Star 950 Tourer) is powered by a fuel-injected air-cooled 942cc 60 degree V-Twin engine with a five-speed transmission. Yamaha estimates fuel economy at 47 mpg from the 4.5 gallon tank.

Charley Boorman Tours Canada for New Series

Actor and adventure rider Charley Boorman is getting ready for another journey, this one taking him across the Great White North on a tour of Canada. Best known for his Long Way Round and Long Way Down documentaries with his friend and riding partner Ewan McGregor, Boorman is touring Canada for a new series called Extreme Frontiers: Canada for the U.K.’s Channel 5. BMW Motorrad Canada will provide Boorman with his ride, likely from its GS line.

Best Western Holds Photo Contest for Motorcyclists

Best Western is holding a new contest for motorcyclists to celebrate its 65th anniversary and the launch of its three types of hotels. The Best Western Ride Rewards Photo Contest is open to motorcycle riders and runs until July 15. To enter, riders must submit photos of their motorcycles in front of a Best Western sign from the chain’s 2,200 North American locations to the Best Western Facebook page.

Ben Spies Signs Contract Extension with Yamaha

Yamaha has signed Ben Spies to a one-year contract extension to continue racing on its MotoGP factory team in 2012. The extension comes after Spies, currently seventh in the Championship standings, recorded his first podium finish of the 2011 season, a third place result at Catalunya. Spies earned two other podium finishes in 2010 in his Rookie of the Year winning debut in the class with the Tech 3 satellite team.

GSX-R 600 gets Milan makeover

Think of bike bolt-ons, and you’ll probably think GSX-R with an iridium screen and blue anodized bar ends. So trust Italian company Rizoma to show us how to do it properly, subtly even. You only have to look at their GSX-R600 showcase bike to see how they do ‘bolt-on’.

Another Teaser for New “Middle-class” Suzuki Motorcycle

Suzuki has released a another teaser for its upcoming “Middle-class New Motorcycle”. We wrote about the previous teaser last week, speculating the new motorcycle is an updated Suzuki V-Strom, possibly a V-Strom 650 with a retuned version of the Gladius’ engine. A commenter named Steven suggested it might be a V-Strom 1000 instead.

Piaggio Opening R&D Center in China

The Piaggio Group announced plans to open a new research and development center in China for producing new vehicles specifically for the Asian market. The new R&D facility will be located in Foshan, an industrial center in southern China which also houses Piaggio Zongshen Foshan Motorcycle Co., a joint venture owned by Piaggio (45%), the Zongshen Group (45%) and the municipality of Foshan (10%). The new center will be 100% owned by Piaggio, and will focus on developing electric motors, diesel engines as well as small commercial vehicles.

Moto3 Team Applications Now Accepted

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Applications are now being accepted for the new Moto3 class in the 2012 Grand Prix World Championship. Teams interested in competing in the four-stroke 250cc Moto3 class are asked to register their interest with the International Road Racing Teams Association.