Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Niall Mackenzie's blog No.1

I didn't realise how much I had missed riding at Donington Park over the past eleven months until I reaquainted myself with what is still one of the world's best circuits last weekend. There is nothing like a fix of Craner Curves and the Old Hairpin to make you smile, especially when these corners have provided some of the best moments of your racing career. The shorter, national layout is being used at the moment but most prefer this arrangement as it misses out the start / stop Melbourne loop section.

Yamaha 350LC ProAm, Mallory Park 1981

So Kenny Roberts Jnr think traction control is ruining racing? Having watched this 1981 ProAm race from Mallory Park, I'm forced to agree. Racing should be a spectacle.

We're all doomed...

Went to meet Niall Mackenzie at Donington on Saturday. He was doing some one-on-one instruction at a two-day Focused Events track bash, the first to be held at the newly reopened Leicestershire circuit. I was really interested in what they’d done to the track and the new chicane looks the business.

Rossi goes karting with racing mates

REIGNING MOTOGP World Champion Valentino Rossi has been out on four wheels again - this time joining his motorcycle racing buddies at Jeepers Kart track, Cattolica.The nine-time world champ, who recently announced he is to race for Ducati from 2011, was joined by Marco Simoncelli, Andrea Iannone and Mattia Pasini at the karting venue.Rossi, an accomplished racing driver, turned down an offer to move to Ferrari F1 in 2011, after impressing team bosses when he drove the squad's 2009 car in Spain.

Supermoto sliding how-to

Read the subtitles carefully as Supermoto World Champion Bernd Hiemer gives a step-by-step walkthrough on how to slide the rear wheel. Go get those rear wheels dancing, because as Bernd puts it: "If you are able to drift properly, you simply look much cooler than your mates." After the lesson check out the Top 10 Supermotos.

Front wheel hopping on a 'Blade

In my youth I used to spend hours with my mates pulling stoppies on our mountain bikes and then proceeding to hop on the front wheel for as long as we could or replicating the tricks we'd see our trials heroes perform. But the idea of doing this on a Honda Fireblade is puzzling, but stunt rider Odair Salmazo has it cracked.

8-bit pixel dirtbike

A designer has created a real-life version of the dirtbike out of the Nintendo classic ExciteBike. The pixelated 8-bit bike has been pieced together with sections of wood and an old bicycle providing the chassis. Designer, Justin Harder also handcrafted a pixel trophy, helmet and armour.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak: Part six

Fantastic. It’s raining. Not only are the Dunlop Sportmax tyres on my VFR 1200 in their element in these snotty, normally treacherous conditions (they steam at the end of a ride - how cool is that?) but our long term Ford Ranger pick-up has become a new source of joy and entertainment.

That 'Art Blade in Selfridges

We first showed this 'Art Blade a few weeks back and the blog post got a few negative reactions. I was walking past the corner of Selfridges the other day, looked up and saw it there in the window. It's really striking and stops you in your tracks.

The angriest reader letter we've ever had?

The letters@visordown.com mailbox has had its fair share of funny letters over the years, but this has to be the best I've seen: Hi, Just writing to say I'm sorry to see the demise of the Two Wheels Only magazine, despite not having liked it / bought it for the last couple of years. We buy Bike, Motorcycle Sport and Leisure, Ride, Performance Bikes, MCN and Motorcycle Mechanics either on subscription or without fail every month. I used to be a subscriber to Two Wheels Only.

Biker theme for new Shakira video

SEXY MUSIC TYPE Shakira has filmed a video for her new single, with motorcycles featuring heavily in  the European shoot.The Colombian was filming in Barcelona, Spain, for the new video of the single 'Loca'. The single is from her upcoming album Sale el Sol, featuring British rapper Dizzee Rascal.

One special day at Spa in 1985

25 years ago Freddie Spencer managed a magical feat by winning both the 250 and 500 Grand Prix championships in the same year. Freddie Spencer tested his abilities to the upmost from jumping off the 250 to then line-up on the grid for the 500 race that followed. But what stands out alongside this remarkable act is the days where he took double victories.

Could This Innovative New Light Save Your Life?

Everyone knows brake lights are to alert drivers behind you, but what about when you roll off the throttle, and tailgating drivers fail to notice your decreasing rate of speed? Would you like them to know you’re decelerating, rather than potentially becoming another statistic? Nikkos Designs of Fort Myers, Fla.

A speedboat for bikers

THIS IS the Innespace Seabreacher X - an underwater two-seater submersible that looks like a great white shark.Visordown's no stranger to the Seabreacher concept - we brought you the company's dolphin-inspired version back in September 2008. Now Innespace have launched the 'X' version of the Seabreacher, complete with a new supercharged 260bhp engine.The Seabreacher X boasts a top speed of 50mph on the water and 25mph underwater –  so you can get the beast airborne in sort of a speedboat wheelie. The 'boat' comes with a video camera mounted on the top fin, complete with LCD screen inside the cockpit and a rather swanky-looking interior.

Panic braking in the fast lane?

PANIC BRAKING is never a good idea, especially when you've just pulled into the path of a speeding car. This lucky mofo escapes with what looks like minimal injuries following the hefty rear-end shunt, despite the rider's minimal amount of protective clothing. Not sure the scooter got away so lightly ...

And it's goodbye from him

THIS IS Valentino Rossi's farewell letter to his Fiat Yamaha team following the announcement the flambouyant Italian is to head to Ducati MotoGP in 2011.The hand-written letter, mistakes and all, is written in almost a 'my first romance' kinda way. It's touching, if a little bizarre. Some of the letter reads:“Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me ‘I love you!'"Somehow, we can't see Casey Stoner gushing quite as freely when he leaves Ducati for Repsol Honda.

South West Motorcycle Show 2010, August 28th & 29th

Need something to do on August Bank Holiday weekend, then read below: "Although the South West Motorcycle Show has been running at the Westpoint Arena for the last sixteen years, 2010 is the first year that the show hosts the all-new Vertical Trix European Stunt Championship. The show contains all the usual attractions that have been delivered to motorcyclists from over the south-west and further afield since 1994 – including all the appropriate trade stands, and with strong support from local dealers – plus attractions such a a dyno on site, restaurant, bar, bike displays, live music and of course the live action arena. Although the action in the show arena has previously been stunt displays, rather than a full-on competition.

Bridgestone BT023s tested

Three months ago I fitted a pair of Bridgestone’s latest sport touring tyres to the Speed Triple. I needed some rubber that would cover more than 2000 miles without squaring off. They also needed to be sticky, responsive and most of all able to handle the huge torque the 1050cc triple engine puts out.

Back from the Ulster GP

Just rocked home after a really good cross-country blast home from Birkenhead docks. The VFR developed a weird hiccup this morning in Belfast on the way to the Norfolkline ferry terminal and occasionally feels like it’s suffering from fuel starvation – like a blocked fuel tank breather or something – but only around 2,000rpm and only now and again. It’s not consistent and the only way round it is to dip the clutch and give it a few blips and then it seems to clear its throat.

Massive clearance sale, Sunday 15th August

WE KNOW IT'S last minute notice but Brackely Yamaha have gone bust and PB Motorsport Ltd have bought their entire stock and are having a one day sale tomorrow, Sunday 15 August 2010.   The address is:Brackley Yamaha LtdShires RoadBrackleyNorthamptonshireNN13 7EZ The sale will be on from 12.00pm - 2.00pm only. PBM are giving massive reductions to Visordown readers and members on all items in the sale.  We are offering 33% off everything in stock apart from Arai & Shoei Helmets which we are discounting by £100.00 off the RRP price. There are huge amounts of clothing, helmets and accessories from top brands such as  Arai, Shoei, Dainese, Spidi, Yamaha, Wolf, On Fire, Sidi, RGV, Rukka, RST, Schuberth, Draggin Jeans, Spada, Bering, Oxford Luggage and Motrax.Get along and pick up a bargain.

The answer to Westminster's parking problem?

THIS HAS to be the coolest city centre parking idea we've ever seen. Check the video. "The car park was becoming an eyesore ..." What about the horrendous 1970s-style office some bright spark's slapped up next to the catherdral?

Honda’s View of the Motorcycle Industry in Canada

Recently here on Motorcycle.com, we’ve been bringing you reviews of a handful of Honda scoots that are available to our neighbors (or is that neighbours?) to the North in Canada, yet remain forbidden fruit for American consumers. Reviewer Costa Mouzouris gave us a look at the naked CB1000R that Honda Canada is considering importing, the already-available half-faired CBF1000, and the entry-level CBR125R. Meanwhile, Honda’s competitors have also announced some new products for Canada that have yet to be made available in the U.S.

Motorcycles and Carousels Don’t Mix [video]

When you were a youngster did you ever go on the carousel at your local park and see how fast your friends could spin you around? Well, a group of German teenagers have you beat. Wanting to kick things up a notch, our heroes thought it would be great fun to use a scooter to really get the carousel spinning.

Ridiculous Custom Trike + Cheesy Video = Good Times! [video]

If you’ve got an obscene amount of spare time on your hands and more than a few shekels in the bank, why not do what British man Tim Cotterill did – build a 200mph monster trike. Cotterill’s creation, which he dubs the Road Rocket II, is a whopping 16-feet long and 2,700 pounds and is powered by a fire-breathing 1000bhp engine. It’s also equipped with a parachute to help slow the beast down.

Crash-proof Motorcycle Technology [Video]

Here’s a video clip demonstrating new technology out of the Netherlands that could revolutionize motorcycle safety. Developed by a company called TFKL Engineering, the technology is somewhat similar to Volvo’s pedestrian detection system that scans the area around the vehicle for anything that might cause an accident. The TFKL system scans the environment to look for potential hazards.

I don't normally 'do' customs

The guys in the office spend (spent?) way too much time looking at customs that they wanted to build, but never could nor ever would. They're not really my thing. But I came across this on the Knucklebuster website.

We're off to the Ulster Grand Prix

I was pretty excited about going to the TT in June and it didn’t disappoint – three days of ram-packed entertainment,  on all fronts. But the Ulster Gp is a different buzz. For starters I’m taking racing mad offspring no 2 for a lads and dads weekend away.

I hope this doesn't fall on deaf ears

I wish I'd always worn ear plugs, but I'm ashamed to say I haven't. And now my hearing is rubbish. Sorry?!

Beyonce smoulders with Confederate P120 Fighter

GRANTED, it's a bit fruity for 09:39 on an August Friday morning but this is BEYONCE in her latest photoshoot for Dereon clothing. Posing with a V-twin Confederate P120 Fighter musclebike, the singing superstar does quite a good job of doing the 'oooh come get me I'm a sultry biker chick' pose. Ahem.

R&G Racing offer a positive to crashing

Crash bungs aren't the greatest looking addition to the fairings of bikes, but they do save a lot of money. Now R&G Racing are offering a money off deal for any damaged crash bungs. More in the press release: "R&G Racing is urging riders not to throw away any old or destroyed crash bungs, but to trade them in towards new items.