Motorcycle Blog on 2040Motos

Spies v Lawson one-on-one

CHECK OUT this staged one-on-one interview between multiple former 500cc World Champion Eddie Lawson and reigning World Superbike champion Ben Spies. The racing duo chat about bikes old and new, as well as discussing the technology from bikes past and present - did you know Lawson was the first 500 GP racer to try USD forks? Not the most scintillating clip we've ever seen - perhaps they should have sunk a few beers before rolling the cameras.

Is there anything you CAN'T do on an S1000RR?

WE'VE SEEN videos of BMW's stunning new S1000RR pulling wheelies, stunting, sliding, racing a 700bhp Corvette, featured in a music video - we've even had a look inside the engine and now the company are using the 190bhp superbike as part of a new-style drag act - but not the Danny La Rue type. Real or not, the clip makes for amusing viewing.  Have a look.

BMW S1000RR stars in new Black Eyed Peas video

WE'RE NOT quite sure exactly what the Black Eyed Peas are trying to say in the video to their latest single 'Imma Be Rocking That Body' but they're cool enough to be using a BMW S1000RR superbike in the new film.Check out Fergie as she gyrates her stuff; from what we can gather she's going to be over there on the next left, rocking her body to a bass clef, while taking pictures with her crew and licking something at the same time. Does her Mum know she talks like that?

Capcom MotoGP 2010 screen shots unveiled

GAMING GIANT Capcom has released screen shots for Moto GP 09/10, ahead of the game's demo premier this Thursday.The latest in the Moto GP series is said to take an "exciting new direction rewarding players for racing style and skill on the track".The demo will offer players a chance to compete in one of three great game modes – Championship mode, Time Trial and the all new Arcade mode where you win time extensions for executing skilful manoeuvres. Put in a bad performance and your dreams of racing to victory will be over.MotoGP 09/10 will be available at retail across Europe and Australia on March 19th. Fans will be able to compete in the most up-to-date racing experience earlier than ever before with the 2010 season content available to download free of charge shortly after launch.

Free BBQ Sunday 7th March Warm-Up at GetGeared store!

WARM UP with a free BBQ at  the GetGeared store in Leatherhead and view the  new ranges now in store. Great savings on Ixon Leathers, new Rev’It  2010 collection, Held and Alpinestars Gore-Tex ranges, Alpinestars sports jackets, the Schuberth C3 with Bluetooth communication system and launch of the 2010 Scorpion helmet ranges. Venue: GetGeared, 290 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, KT22 7QEDate: Sunday 7th March 2010Open:- 10-4pm Free BBQ from 11.30 onwards

iPhone speed camera alerter App - £0.59

iPhone users can now access speed camera location via their phones thanks to a new 'App'. CamerAlert is a self-contained Speed and Red Light Camera warning system based on the world renowned PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database. Providing both audible and visual warnings as you approach a camera, CamerAlert forewarns you of camera locations AND the speed limits in force at those locations.Very handy.But the new app also has benefits if you are riding in a section of SPECs or Average Speed Cameras; CamerAlert displays your average speed to ensure you are aware of your speed between each camera in the zone.

Helmet-cam: L-plate biker wipes out on housing estate

HOUSING ESTATES all over the UK are probably fed up of twirps like this, but check this helmet-cam footage of an L-plate biker losing the front end of his bike on a corner. Luckily, the little rogue escapes without injury, but we're not sure the Vauxhall he piles into comes off so well. So if it's your car, and it's damaged, here's your man: YX02 LKA

Used Review: Dainese Wave Jacket

Funny stuff body armour. It works really well inside tight-fitting leathers but in loose-fit stuff like thick winter clothing its seriously compromised. After all, what use is elbow armour if it’s flapping about all over the place?

Used Review: Arai GP-5X helmet

This doesn’t get worn as much as the other helmets in the Tavner collection as it’s my favourite and it’s no longer made. However, it came out the other day and it still brings me immense joy. The Drudi paint job is sexy and the black/gold is by far the nicest of the three colour schemes available.

New: Rukka ArmaS two-piece

If you do thousands and thousands of miles, this is the sort of suit you should be looking at if you don’t fancy wearing made-to-measure leathers. It’s big bucks – the same price as bespoke leathers. The zip, sorry, Gore Lockout Closure, is a masterstroke of waterproof design.

New: Kriega R30

Kriega’s latest rucksack, the R30 is a 30-litre capacity, all weather rucksack, which aims to offer the best of a drysack and a rucksack. It features Kriega’s Quadloc harness, designed to spread load around your body and not just punish your shoulders. The harness is adjustable via chunky buckles at the hips and a closed-loop strap at the top, both of which should be easy to adjust even with thick gloves on.

The moment Vermeulen lost me £20

Chris Vermeulen didn't have the most successful first round back in World Superbikes, crashing out of both races. And I probably cursed him. The odds of Vermeulen winning a race - according to Coral - were 80/1 so I thought I'd have a punt on him.

How to market your Guzzi dealership

NOT ONE for the 'burn yer bras' bridgade but we reckon the guys at US-based Cycle Garden have got a great way of attracting new business. We've never much hankered after owning a Guzzi (speak for yourself - I've always fancied a Le Mans Mk1 - Ed) but this video has made us look at the iconic Italian V-twins in a whole new light.

BMW S1000RR Valve Train Working at High RPM [video]

I’d like to ramble on about a dozen different things relating to this video, but the 3- minute, 19-second clip speaks for itself. However, once the engine is revving at high rpm, watching the cams, finger followers and valve springs seemingly freeze in action due to the incredible speeds, I was reminded of that whole “Dude, the faster I went the more everything around me seemed to slow down,” experience we’ve all heard about or experienced. Enjoy!

Calling all Harley-owning, Olympus-toting shopaholics

GOOD LORD: where will it ever end?Harley-Davidson and Olympus cameras have launched a range of branded leather bags, specifically for use with Olympus cameras. The cases come replete with 'silver studs, buckles, chains and the iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand in four distinct styles,' says Olympus.The camera company continues: 'Whether you’re a two-wheeled novice, a seasoned road warrior or just enjoy the look, the new Harley-Davidson accessory cases are for you.'Mmmmm.The limited-edition leather accessory bags will be available in February 2010.Wonder if the cost of the new leather pouches will be Harley-Davidson inspired, too?

Spongebob SquarePants helmet: £700

FRENCH HELMET manufacturer Ruby has unveiled a tribute open-faced lid to celebrate 10 years of the children's cartoon 'Spongebob and Squarepants'.The bright yellow helmet, complete with Spongebob graphics, is made to European and American safety standards and comes complete with a sumptuous leather lining.The price? £700 to you, Sir.

"Put them away for the lads..."

BOOBS, JUGS, PAPS - there are lots of words to describe a woman's breasts and now there's a specific kind of armour on sale from Dainese to help protect man's best friend.Yes folks, the Thorax Pro Lady (sounds like a bloody vibrator - Ed) has just been released by the iconic Italian motorcycle clothing manufacturer, for women who value their prized assets.Like Dainese's men's chest protectors, the Thorax Lady Pro is made from tough astronmemory and extruded polypropylene, to protect all vital organs inside (and outside) of the rider's ribcage. Thorax Pro Lady (with straps) - £59.99 Thorax Lady (without straps) - £39.99 Wonder if they've got one to fit Chelsea Charms?

Ford Ranger Wildtrak: part one

Picked up our Ford Ranger Wildtrak pickup last week. She’s massive, blue and bestowed with a three-litre turbo diesel engine that’s so torquey you can set off in first gear with no throttle at all. Going to be perfect for humping bikes and people and gear around, that’s fo’ sho’.

Put a sting in your 2010 Z1000's tail

SCORPION has released an all-new new silencer for the 2010 Kawasaki Z1000.   The slip-on silencer requires no additional modifications: bolt on and go.Consistent power improvements throughout the rev range have been seen, with no adjustments to the fuelling, say Scorpion, with an average increase 3bhp.The new silencer has been acoustically developed to provide a greatly enhanced engine note.  This means the bike will be as loud as the original in terms of a dB reading, but the exhaust note offers a deeper growl. However, removable baffles allow the rider to dramatically alter the tone of the exhaust by simply removing one bolt per silencer.

1974: Onboard an MV racer with Phil Read

ANOTHER CRACKING BIT of vintage racing footage, this time featuring multiple motorcycle world champion Phil Read on the awesome-sounding MV Agusta 500-4.The footage is from the 1974 movie 'The Iron Horse' made by Frenchman Pierre-William Glenn.Read’s 1974 500cc World Championship victory was the last year a four-stroke won the world title before the advent of the MotoGP class in 2002. Giacomo Agostini won the crown from Yamaha in 1975, followed by Suzuki-mounted Barry Sheene in '76 and '77. The footage is bloody good, considering the camera technology of the day.

Hi-tech motorcycle armour low-tech tested

THE GUYS at Australian-based technology-driven website Gizmag have come up with an interesting way of testing the performance of a British made new-style of motorcycle clothing armour. The protective material, called d3o, is soft and flexible in normal use, but hardens up instantly under a heavy impact, thanks to hi-tech materials used in the construction process.This means the new-style armour is less thicker than the stuff normally found it motorcycle clothing, and therefore more comfortable in everyday use, say the manufacturers. But does the hi-tech approach mean it's as effective when cushioning an impact?Watch the video to find out.

Laguna Seca: 500cc two-strokes: take two

HERE'S ANOTHER great bit of 1980's 500cc two-stroke action from Laguna Seca, featuring triple World Champion Kenny Roberts, Randy Mamola and Mike Baldwin. Listen to Roberts in the post race interview saying he's more interested in pulling wheelies and having fun than 'smoking' everyone else on the track, just to prove he's the best rider out there. Brilliant stuff.

Think once, think twice, think Jimmy Hill?

HERE'S A CLASSIC 1970's British road safety announcement, starring former football legend-turned-commentator Jimmy 'The Chin' Hill. Sadly, the message sent out 30 years ago about drivers pulling out of side roads without first checking thoroughly for motorcycles is still the same today: just because you can see them it doesn't guarantee the driver can see you. Cheers Jimmy!

Yoshimura GSX1250FA EEC Approved Slip-On End-Can

JAPANESE TUNING house Yoshimura has released a series of EEC-approved Slip-On exhausts suitable for the Suzuki Bandit GSF1250SA and the new fully-faired Suzuki GSX1250FA.At over 3kgs lighter than the OE Suzuki item, each Yoshimura Slip-On comes with the pipe work to mount to the standard front section plus all parts (including muffler clamp) required for installation. The EEC-approved silencer features two dB-killer baffles, one in the link pipe, one in the can and when both are removed power and torque are increased over stock, claim Yoshimura. With full EEC silencing both torque and power curves are identical to the standard output, but a dB-Killer in the link-pipe when used with an open exhaust gives solid gains, the company say.Part Number/Sleeve Type/Weight/RRP including VAT1A0-177-5L50 (Stainless Steel)    3.4kg  £597.751A0-177-5L80 (Titanium)              3.2kg  £666.731A0-177-5L81B (Titan Blue)*       3.2kg  £747.191A0-177-5L20 (Metal Magic)        3.4kg  £689.72For more information on this or any other Yoshimura product contact 01782 569800 or visit www.phoenixnw.co.uk to find your nearest dealer. 

500cc GP Classic: Laguna Seca '85

A GREAT piece of vintage 500cc World Championship racing for you, in the shape of the 1985 USGP from Laguna Seca. The action mainly features triple 500cc World Champion Kenny Roberts, taking on the then current champion Eddie Lawson with some fantastic wheelies from racer-turned-TV commentator Randy Mamola. Which makes us think: Mamola would have probably won a World Championship if he hadn't spent so much of his time pulling effin' great wheelies.

2010 Indy Dealer Expo

The Advanstar Dealer Expo is America’s largest motorcycle trade show, and it entices dealers with all kinds of new products that you’ll be seeing on shelves in 2010. Hosted, as always, in Indianapolis, this year’s show has contracted in size compared to previous years, but there was still plenty of cool stuff aimed at riders like us. The Indianapolis Convention Center housed about 240,000 sq.

Dealer Expo 2010: HJC IS-MAX BT Helmet

HJC’s best selling modular helmet, the IS-MAX, is now ready for Bluetooth. The new IS-MAX BT features an integrated recess for the ChatterBox XBi2-H, which allows riders to stream an autoi signal from any source equipped with Bluetooth – mobile phone, MP3 player, GPS unit. According to HJC, XBi2-H also provides the ability for rider-to-rider communication with another helmet this is also equipped.

Dealer Expo 2010: Michelin Power Pure Tires

Michelin unveiled its new Power Pure at Indy. It uses Michelin’s 2CT dual-compound construction and is claimed to be 10% lighter than tires from its competitors. According to Michelin, Light Tire Technology reduces unsprung weight and rotating mass, which benefits acceleration, braking and grip.

Dealer Expo 2010: Yoshimura R-77 Slip-On Exhaust

Yoshimura is playing to the green movement with its new R-77 slip-on canister with integral catalytic converter. The version ready for the 2008-09 Honda CBR1000RR is claimed to be three pounds lighter than stock and offers a big bump in midrange power. Most importantly to the greenies, however, is that it produces fewer emissions than other performance mufflers.

Dealer Expo 2010: Memphis Shades

Memphis Shades has added a new shape and style to its extensive lineup of replacement shields, with a list price of $99.95 this should be another hit.  Their windshields are available for streetbikes, customs and cruisers, the Memphis Shades mounting kits don’t require any tools to easily remove or swap out the shields.