Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Paris Hilton Talks About Her Race Team on Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Reality show star, socialite and racing team owner Paris Hilton made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last week to promote some of her projects including her 125cc Grand Prix Blusens by Paris Hilton Racing Team. Hilton arrived on the Tonight Show set riding pillion on a GSX-R painted white, pink and blue. The celebutante’s appearance comes on the (pink) heels of racer Maverick Viñales winning his first 125cc GP race at Le Mans.

A lap of Catalunya with Marc Marquez

It's hard not to be a fan of Marc Marquez. He's one of the modern standard of miniature riders, but rides with a rough aggression that is hidden by the glowing smile of a future star. His transition to Moto2 started off with a glitch, as a glimpse into a raw speed of Marquez ended up in a pile in the gravel trap at the first three rounds.

Norbert Schickel Headed to Hall of Fame

American motorcycle pioneer Norbert Schickel has been named to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame’s 2011 class. Schickel founded Schickel Motor Co., in Stamford, Conn., in 1912, a year after exhibiting his first “two-cycle” motorcycle at the Chicago Motorcycle Show. Schickel Motor sold more than 1,000 motorcycles between 1912 and 1924 when the company filed for bankruptcy.

Charity Ride Benefiting Peruvian Orphans

Photojournalist and Motorcycle.com contributor Neale Bayly is organizing a charity ride in Charlotte, N.C., to benefit orphaned and abandoned children in Peru. The June 12 charity ride is in support for Wellspring International Outreach, a charitable organization Bayly founded with retired educator Maria Fitzgerald in 2008. Wellspring International Outreach raises funds for the Hogar Belen Orphanage in Moquegua, Peru.

2011 US Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study by J.D. Powers and Associates

Arai retained the top spot on J.D. Power and Associates’ 2011 U.S. Motorcycle Helmet Satisfaction Study, sharing top honors with Icon.

Official Sketches of 900cc Husqvarna Streetbike

Husqvarna has released these official drawings of its upcoming streetbike. Best known for its off-road models, Husqvarna seems to be taking a page from parent company BMW in teasing its new on-road model, first by releasing details about the engine, and now with these sketches. The drawings reveal a naked road bike with a supermoto influence not too far from Husqvarna’s usual style.

Ride to Work Day 2011

The 20th annual Ride to Work Day is less than a month away and organizers say this year’s event will be the largest ever. This year’s Ride to Work Day will take place June 20, with 13 countries around the world taking part. Originally proposed by an editorial by Fred Rau in Road Rider magazine (now known as Motorcycle Consumer News), the Ride to Work Day campaign advocates the use of motorcycles and scooters as an everyday option for commuters.

Lawmakers Support Anti-Checkpoint Bill

A bi-partisan group of federal lawmakers has sent a letter supporting legislation that prevents government funds being used for motorcycle-only traffic checkpoints. The letter was sent May 25 to the U.S. House Committee on Transport and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit urging support for H.R.

Next Ducati Superbike and Desmosedici GP12 Testing at Mugello

Valentino Rossi testing the 2012 version of the Ducati Desmosedici is usually big news, especially with the Italian moto-press. As the nine-time World Champion logs his laps on the GP12 at Italy’s Mugello circuit today, the bigger news is the other Ducati racebike sharing the track with the Doctor. According to GPOne.com, Ducati is also testing its new 1200cc Superbike, the successor to the 1198R.

Video: Blade sixth gear roll-on

I'm pretty clear what I want from my Blade. In stock trim it's awesome but for how I use it it could be better still in a couple of key areas. Rule one: No full system or slip-on end can.

What Would Colin Edwards Do?

As fast as Colin Edwards is on the track, the Texas Tornado may be even quicker behind a microphone. We saw some of that last year in the Yamaha-produced “Man-Cation” video with Edwards and his then-Tech 3 teammate Ben Spies, and Edwards can always be relied upon for a good quote at press conferences. The producers of MotoGP’s official video podcast “After the Flag” have taken notice of CEIII’s wit.

Entry-level Aprilia RS4 125 to be Offered with Quick Shifter

Aprilia U.K. will offer a quick shifter as an optional add-on to the Aprilia RS4 125 entry-level sportbike. Inherited from the Aprilia RSV4 R APRC, the quick shifter allows for clutchless upshifts without needing to close the throttle.

Ride Laguna Seca with King Kenny Roberts and Steady Eddie Lawson

Kenny Roberts and Eddie Lawson will join up to 200 fans in riding Laguna Seca July 22 during the U.S. Grand Prix. Fans purchasing a special weekend ticket promotional package from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will have opportunity to ride several laps with the two former World Champions.

North West 200 On-Board Lap

Lots of people are familiar with the Isle of Man TT races. The popular Irish road race that takes place along the 37.3-mile Snaefell Mountain Course is known for its high speeds, courageous riders and the fact that it’s held entirely on public roads. Perhaps a more outrageous race is the North West 200.

2012 Ducati Monster 1100EVO Showroom Premiere

If there’s one thing Ducati’s good at doing, (well, besides building motorcycles that is), it’s making the showroom premieres of its newest models an event. That holds true with the North American dealership premieres of Ducati‘s newest Monster, the flagship of the company’s naked roadster lineup, the Ducati Monster 1100EVO. The Ducati Monster 1100EVO, now listed as Ducati’s first 2012 model, arrives in participating showrooms across the United States and Canada May 27-28.

Florida to Alaska and Back on a Honda CBR125R

A 65-year-old man from Windsor, Ontario, Canada is attempting a cross-continent ride from Key West, Fla., to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and back, on a Honda CBR125R. Bob Munden of Windsor is attempting to set the record for the smallest motorcycle to make the trip from the southernmost accessible point in North America to the northernmost point, and back. A print shop owner with a stable of five motorcycles, Munden will attempt the trip on the 124.7cc single-cylinder four-stroke Honda CBR125R, an entry-level sportbike model Honda offers in Canada.

Zero Motorcycles Promotes Askenazi to CTO

Zero Motorcycles has promoted Abe Askenazi to the position of chief technology officer. A former Buell engineer, Askenazi joined Zero Motorcycles in 2010 as vice president of engineering where he played a vital role in developing the company’s 2011 line-up, overhauling over 80% of Zero’s existing electric motorcycle line-up while adding the Zero XU and street legal versions of the Zero X and Zero MX in just 10 months on the job. “Abe’s ability to effectively execute on an aggressive product development plan, select the best new technologies and rally his team is remarkable.

Doug Polen Joins Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Former AMA and World Superbike Champion Doug Polen has been named to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame class of 2011. “Any fan of motorcycle roadracing will remember Doug’s amazing – and dominating – championship runs on the AMA and World Superbike stages,” says Don Rosene, a member of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation Board of Directors. “At a time when the series saw plenty of fast competitors, Doug was clearly the fastest.

Triumph Motorcycles Produces 500,000th in John Bloor Hinckley Era

Triumph is celebrating the 500,000th motorcycle produced in the John Bloor era with a tour across the United Kingdom with English stand-up comedian Ross Noble. The landmark motorcycle, a one-off Triumph Speed Triple, is the 500,000th unit produced by the modern Triumph Motorcycles company since Bloor revived the brand in 1990. Carrying VIN number 500,000, the milestone Speed Triple features a special red, white and blue color scheme with the triple-cross of the Union Jack on the fuel tank.

Experience Morocco with Honda and Mick Extance

Press release from Honda Britain’s Dakar endurance rider Mick Extance is to lead two eight-day and two ten-day trips of a lifetime in Morocco. Riders will experience some of the most diverse and adventurous terrain in the world to include the famous Atlas mountain range, lush river valleys, beautiful sandy coasts and wide expanses of desert. Each adventure trip begins in Ouazarzate – the gateway to the Sahara - before taking in the stunning scenery through Chicaga, Tafrout, Merzouga and Boulmane Dades through the amazing Dades Gorge.

Russia to Host WSBK in 2012

InFront Motorsports has reached an agreement with a Russian promoter that would see the country host a World Superbike Championship round in 2012. Yaknich Motorsport has signed on to organize a Russian round of the WSBK Championship. Yakhnich Motorsportalso acquired the television and marketing rights for the series in Russia.

Ultra-SOL Solar-powered Accessory Mount by Leader Motorcycle

Motorcycle accessory manufacturer Leader Motorcycle has introduced a solar-powered mounting kit for charging electronic equipment without relying on a motorcycle’s battery. The Ultra-SOL by St. Francis, Minn., based Leader Motorcycle is a solar-powered electronics mounting kit.

Öhlins reveal new shock for the Diavel

Press release from Öhlins The exciting new Ducati Diavel has turned the world of motorcycling on its head, delivering the performance of a superbike with the attitude and street presence of a cruiser. Since its launch, the motorcycle press have heaped praise on this new concept from Ducati and now Öhlins has developed a replacement shock absorber that is certain to further enhance the Diavel’s already formidable reputation. This latest offering features external compression and rebound adjustors, plus a hose mounted hydraulic spring preload adjuster.

Weise release Knox armoured gloves

Press release from Weise Two new gloves from WEISE®, the track-specification Vortex and the short cuff Daytona, both featuring  full grain leather construction and the Knox Scaphoid Protection System®. With a kangaroo leather palm, twin layered with Kevlar inserts at key impact points and integrated TPU reinforcement at the knuckles and fingers, the Vortex road/race glove provides a feeling of all-round security.  Stretch panels at the base of thumb, top of the hand and fingers offer flexibility, feel and feedback. Its ingenious adjustable Velcro® retained wrist strap has a two-way cuff system that allows quick and easy fastening inside or outside jacket sleeves, ensuring a snug and secure fit.

Knox release new K-Pack backpack

Press release from Planet-Knox K-Pack from Knox is the British company's third generation back pack that, like its predecessors, sets new standards for motorcycle backpacks, with comfort, innovative design and practical features, including helmet carrier and integral waterproof cover. Comfort and aerodynamics are key to carrying luggage on your back on a bike, so the K-Pack is engineered to hold the weight low over the hips, reducing stress on the lower back.  It sits neatly on the wearer’s back, offering as little wind resistance as possible. Knox have also added a breathable, ‘spacer’ fabric on inside of each strap, to help improve airflow and prevent the build up of moisture.

New colours for Shark Race-R Pro

Press release from Shark helmets The Kimbo joins the five existing models in the range and true to SHARK's colourful designs – these are no exception. The Kimbo is available in three colourways black/white/orange, blue/white/red and - the multi-coloured – black/blue/white/red. Alongside the Kimbo SHARK has developed a Randy de Puniet Replica, following the success of his previous design.

2012 Honda Gold Wing Tour: Part 4

Yesterday aboard the 2012 Honda Gold Wing was quite an eye opener. I had shared my impressions of some of the upgrades to the new Wing in blog posts earlier in the week (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), but these focused mostly on some comfort and convenience updates and the bike’s ability to eat up open stretches of pavement. But on this day we put the Wing to a completely different test: the Tail of the Dragon, US 129 in North Carolina.

Postcards from Le Mans

Many would argue that Jerez, Mugello or Assen are the best Moto GP events in Europe but after visiting Le Mans last week I am putting this classic French venue up there with the best. From Thursday afternoon the campsites are filling up and the atmosphere is building for an action packed weekend of entertainment. Monster sponsor this one and spare very little expense in the process.

New Momodesign Avio helmet

Press release from Momo New for 2011, the  aeronautically-inspired  AVIO is the first MOMODESIGN open-face helmet entirely made of composite material, to guarantee a lighter shell that meets the latest safety standards. Designed using advanced C.A.D. systems, the glassfibre/carbon fibre shell has an aggressive and dynamic shape, with a choice of two-tone colour schemes in weather-resistant paint for a long-lasting finish.

Leo Vince LV-ONE exhausts for Ducati Monster

Press release from MotoGB: For those Ducati Monster owners that only want to add pure Italian made products to their Ducati, then look no further.   Top Italian performance exhaust manufacturers, LeoVince, have just released some new slip-on exhausts, called the LV-ONE,  for the Monster.  After a years research into what customers want from an exhaust, namely high quality, better sound, better performance ...and all at a good price...LeoVince  came up with their LV-ONE design.  The casings special finish looks like titanium, the exhausts are all 'E' approved for road use, and finished off with their new techno-polymer tailcones.