Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

2010 USA TTXGP: Round One in full

WITH BIKES LAPPING at 18 seconds off times posted by the AMA Superbikes, competitors in the inaugural TTXGP North America series still enjoyed a good old scrap at Infineon Raceway, California. An eclectic mix of bikes lined up for the start of the 2010 TTXGP series; a modified 1966 Norton and a 2010 Mavizen TTX02 Superbike were just two of the machines that took part in the race. US rider Shawn Higbee took victory in the event, riding for team Zero Agni.

Purse Snatchers on a Motorcycle [video]

There is something extremely satisfying to see people get whats coming to them, especially when its a criminal taking advantage of a helpless old lady, well she isn’t that old… and obviously not helpless, with a little help from her friends anyway.  To get the full effect, watch the video towards the end when the real action starts.

Catalina Island (California) Grand Prix Slated for 2010 Return [video]

The Catalina Grand Prix was last run in 1958 on Santa Catalina Island, an island community situated approximately 22 miles south-southwest of greater Los Angeles. Efforts by the AMA, AMA District 37, Big6 (a smaller collection of clubs within the D-37 region) and promotional company My Cuz Vinnie Promotions LLC, have secured December 3-5, 2010 as dates for the event, with a 100-mile professional race held on the 5th. In 2008 vintage motorcycles were displayed on Crescent Ave.

MotoGP exclusive Tissot watch

Stand out in the paddock with the limited edition Tissot MotoGP T-Race watch. "Inspired by cutting-edge motorbike engineering and fusing style with precision timing, the Tissot MotoGP T-Race is the perfect way for adrenaline junkies to ensure they stay ahead both on and off the track. Limited to just 8,000 crash helmet containing a set of authentic motorbike handle grips, making it the ultimate collector’s item.

Bimota Mantra - Remember this?

REMEMBER THIS? If you don't, or can't quite put your finger in the futuristic-looking V-twin, it's a 1995 Bimota Mantra DB3 - and it's up for grabs on eBay.Complete with wooden, yes wooden, dashboard and a 900cc Ducati air cooled motor, the Mantra was Bimota's £13,500 take on Ducati's highly successful Monster 900. This one's covered jusr 1,10 miles new.

Chinese public set on bike-mounted bag snatchers

WE'VE HEARD about the UK's current spate of smash'n'grab robberies by bike-mounted thieves but look what happens when the locals set about two handbag snatchers in Wenzhou, China. Despite the fact one of the robbers is wielding what's believed to be an 18-inch-long sword, the general public spare no expense at laying into the bike-mounted bag snatchers. Worth a look!

California Superbike School 2-day Camp at Silverstone

California Superbike School will be running a 2-day camp at Silverstone for the first time in the UK this August, offering riders a chance to enjoy extra track time while improving their skills in the art of cornering. Taking place on the all-new South circuit (1.9 miles long with 12 turns) students can ride their own bike or hire a fully prepared 2010 Yamaha R6 with the latest Dunlop Sportsmart tyres and fuel included. Already hugely popular with students returning year after year, previously the 2-day camps have been held in Spain during the spring.

Motorcycle Awareness – Can You See Me Now? [video]

The Worldwide Motorcycle Awareness Ride will take place this Sunday, May 23rd across North America.  John Fox (better you don’t know his name, trust me!), organizer of the Phoenix Motorcycle Riders Group, has produced an impact-full video that advises drivers to keep your eyes open and pay attention to motorcyclists while driving. Checkout the video after the jump. Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Harley-Davidson in China

Harley-Davidson opened its first dealer in China in 2005, they now have four dealers operating nationwide (Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao and Hong Kong). Harley reported that sales had doubled in China last year and plans to open four new dealerships this year (Wenzhou, Xiamen, Dalian and Chengdu). According to Rodney Copes, Harley’s Vice President of international sales, China is the fastest growing market for the American motorcycle manufacture.

Moovamoto leaves traditional paddock stands...well, standing

Traditional paddock stands are not called ‘stands’ for nothing. Every bike owner that’s used one knows how difficult and frustrating it can be trying to work on, move or store the bike once it’s on a typical stand. The unique 4 wheeled design of Moovamoto means it does everything a traditional paddock stand does, but gives the added flexibility to easily move the bike in any/all directions, with the rear wheel off the ground or even with the rear wheel removed.

Speed Triple gets new boots

Since the spark plug incident last month resulting in the premature demise of the factory fitted Metzlers, I’ve had to find some new rubber for the Speed Triple. With the Triumph’s punchy engine Commuting 1800 miles a month on motorways and city roads, I need something that will cover decent miles but also be up for some frequent country lane antics. With the BT023’s Bridgestone claim longer life with solid wet weather performance for touring riders whilst satisfying the demands of the keen sport bike riders.

Handy Manny Fix-It Motorcycle [video]

If you know or have any little ones yourself and want to introduce them to the world of motorcycling and/or mechanics, this Fisher Price toy could be a great gift.  It comes with a blueprint that lists fifteen different projects that you can do with the motorcycle, for example you can turn your sportbike into a chopper or attach a sidecar. List price is $36.99 but on Amazon you can currently purchase it for $31.95, checkout the demo video and commercial after the jump. Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 Assembly [video]

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is the flag-ship sportbike for Suzuki, this video shows how its all put together in Japan.  The 2009 Gixxer liter machine underwent such comprehensive redesign (though it looks remarkably similar to ‘08) that Suzuki refers to the update as “a full model change” which was introduced to us about one-year ago. Get the Flash Player to see this player.

You. Call. That. Lean

Jean Philippe Ruggia, 1988, Coppice at Donington Park, Sonauto-Yamaha 250. This is elbow lean action. There was a previous blog entry of Ben Spies and his elbow grazing the tarmac onboard the M1 Yamaha, I admit it is impressive but I find myself admiring the horizontal angles that Ruggia submitted his 250 Yamaha to, with the above image taken at Coppice as a prime example.

A Dodge Tomahawk on a budget

REMEMBER THE utterly barking 500bhp eight litre Dodge Tomahawk V10 concept? Well here's a bargain basement version, courtesy of an enthusiastic builder with a knack for improvisation. The bike features a 2500cc Tatra 603 V8 engine, coupled to transmission from old german P3-Sachsenring military jeep.

Crazy Buddha Does The Big Jump [video]

Here is a very well done and funny AD for Benihana, a chain of restaurants offering teppanyaki style Japanese cooking.  The commercial uses their famous tiki mugs, a veggie motorcycle and a big load of shrimp that sets the stage for the big jump over the grill. Check it out after the jump. Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Marisa Miller and Harley-Davidson Team-Up Again [video]

After recently being named the “Sexiest Woman on Earth” by FHM magazine, Marisa Miller steps up to the plate once again for Harley-Davidson to help promote the “Start Something” contest.  The grand prize is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle of your choice, meet Marisa and go on the ultimate guys road trip with three of your friends. Check out more photos of Marisa and a behind the scenes video that was shot during the photo shoot after the jump. Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Arai introduces the new Axces

Arai have added to their UK range with the new Axces helmet. The Axces is made with Arai’s Super Fibre Construction (SFC) and features the same lower section as found on the benchmark RX-7 GP. Built into the outer shell are an air conductor rear vent, ducting for an optional top vent as well as side exhaust vents.

Nicky needs to slide

Following Joe Kopp's historic win on a Ducati in AMA flat track, alarms bells have been going off in the heads of many, "Hey why doesn't Nicky Hayden jump on the Duke flat tracker?" Well the guys at the excellent American publication Road Racer X are running an online petition and a great marketing wake-up call for Ducati to get Nicky on board the bike for the Indy Mile on August 28th. If he won, and it's a big if considering he hasn't raced flat track in a long time, Nicky would complete the AMA Grand Slam which encompasses victories in the following; half-mile dirt track, mile dirt track, short track, TT, and a Superbike race win. It's an exclusive club with only four members, Dick Mann, Kenny Roberts, Doug Chandler and Bubba Shobert.

The biggest tw@t in motorcycling?

NOT CONTENT with hoiking a wheelie at over 160mph between two articulated lorries, matey in the attached clip turns around to ride the wrong way down a motorway in order to dive between both vehicles flat-out in a head-on pass. Not quite sure what this is supposed to demonstrate, other than the bloke's a completely mindless prick.

Freddy Krueger Loves to Ride [video]

The remake of Nightmare on Elm Street is currently the number one movie in America.  This video clip shows a guy that fuses with his bike, from the fifth installment of the horror series which by then becomes a joke and a far cry from the original movie, especially with all of the cheesy one-liners and terrible effects but at the same time, maybe that’s what gives it its charm. Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The most bizarre road safety film ever?

THEY MAY have some of the most cracking females on the planet, but Sweden hasn't got a clue, not a bloody clue, about how to make a road safety film. Judge for yourself. It makes our road safety commercials look pretty good by comparison.

Kawasaki Supports International Female Ride Day

In recognition of International Female Ride Day, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. will conduct a special one-day promotion. For 24 hours, starting at 12:01 a.m.

On me 'ead, son

MOTORCYCLE-RIDING patriotic footy fans with a penchant for Shark helmets (yes, all two of you) may be interested to know the company has released the limited edition S 900 Flag in the UK. The company say the St.George-inspired design is perfect for 'those wanting to show their support to the England football team in this year's forthcoming World Cup (starting 11 June), or ideal for those patriotic about their beloved England!'Mmmm.The S 900 has a thermoplastic injected shell, an integral sun visor and weighs in at around 1490g. It costs £189 quid - oh, and 99p.

Honda Personal Mobility Concept U3-X [video]

Using technology derived from the ASIMO bi-pedal humanoid robot, Honda has developed a new personal mobility concept called the U3-X. If this proves successful, owners may never have to walk again. Check out a video of the U3-X in action below the jump.

Florida Gators Motorcycle Charity Raffle

If you happen to be a Florida Gators fan and love custom choppers then this is the raffle for you.  The custom Purple Chopper motorcycle, is autographed by Coach Urban Meyer and Heisman winner Tim Tebow. The University of Florida Foundation and the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches will receive 100% of the proceeds. The bike will be raffled off at the UF-South Carolina game on November 13th, tickets are $20 apiece and 7,500 tickets will be sold.

Style Your Garage with a Harley

If you ever wanted to own a Harley-Davidson Road King or a Night Rod Special but just don’t have the available funds at the moment, well you can fake it till you make it with a 3-D garage mural from styleyourgarage.com for only $59 + shipping.  Since this garage billboard was developed in concert with Harley (according to the site) they can offer it at this cut rate. Check out some more samples after the jump.

Ducati Strada Tech jacket

Most of you will know that Dainese design make most of Ducati’s top class performance wear and this new jacket is no exception. Designed in conjunction with the launch of the new Multistrada 1200 this great looking jacket can be separated with the interior lining usable as a stand alone windproof jacket. It’s good to see brands using mountainwear technology for things like zips and seamless stitching as it blocks out so much water and wind.

Look Like a Hero While You Ride

Do you geek out whenever you hear about the latest Batman or Wolverine movie coming to your local multiplex? You’re in luck! Now you can ride to the theater in style in a Dark Knight or Wolverine inspired motorcycle suit.

KISS Scooter Unveiled [video]

If you’re like us, when you think of 150cc scooters you think of rock ‘n roll superstars KISS. Now it all makes sense. Believe it or not, KISS has finally decided to put its name on a consumer product – the new KISS scooter from CrossRunner.