Kawasaki Vulcan Motorcycles in Bend, page #41

Moto blog

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.

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.

Video: On-board lap of the NW200

Watch this video and marvel at the utter dedication and bravery required to ride the NW200 Triangle Circuit. This is shot from a 600 Supersport bike so the speeds are considerably lower than Stuart Easton clocked last year on his superbike. 204mph was his fastest trap-time in 2010.

The world's best ZX-10R?

I'm taking inspiration from the Paul Bird Kawasaki squad and I'm making a few subtle mods to my 10R to make it look a little more like the WSB machine. I've started by ordering a Leo Vince exhaust. Not sure I can afford those Brembo calipers though...

Japan Needs Your Help

By now, we’ve all seen pictures and video of the devastation in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and the ensuing tsunamis. Japan, of course, has contributed much to motorcycling, with the Big Four of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha, as well as tire manufacturer Bridgestone, helmet companies Arai and Shoei and many other motorcycle industry stalwarts all coming from the Land of the Rising Sun. Jon Bekefy and Greg Hatton, two motorcycle enthusiasts, industry employees  and above all, humanitarians, have set up a fundraising campaign benefiting the Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan.

Drift Camera HD170 review

I’ve been testing this Drift 170 camera for the past few days. I also took it on the recent Portimao Maxxis tyre launch where I managed to sneak it onto Gary Mason’s Kawasaki Superbike. We’ve been using the GoPro HD set-up for over a year now with mixed results.

Video: Riding the 2011 MSS Kawasaki ZX-10 Superbike racer

A long time ago a man – some would say living legend – taught me how to ride a speedway bike. In Scandinavian tinged English he told me that the heart of riding a speedway bike was the relationship between my heart and the centre nut of the top yoke. Like a primitive cave dweller, he beat his heart with his fist while he explained this theory whilst his other hand gripped the top yoke.

Schoolboy Heroes

A wet and grey day in Calais in 1992 wouldn’t be the obvious situation for a life changing experience, but for a 11 year old lad on a boring booze cruise from Dover this is exactly what happened. Pockets bulging with funny money I headed to the Tabac for the obligatory bangers, dirty playing cards and some sweets.  Then it happened, I stood in front of the magazine rack and reached up, as if drawn by an external force.  At the time I wasn’t tall enough for Playboy or L’ Escort so settled for a copy of Moto Verte, the French motocross mag.  Life would never be the same again. Inside there was a double page spread, with a fresh faced Jeremy McGrath resting a leg over his #15 Honda CR125.  Sporting a pair of fluro MX trousers with a, now retro, bright white surname emblazoned jersey, and casting an eye over a seriously vast motocross park.  I stared at this Sinisalo advert all the way home, partly because all the articles were in foreign, but also because I was transfixed.  What and how do I become a motocross champion?

Old boys up front and where are the new 600 Gixers?

As I’ve been gagging for the new race season to kick off so it was almost a pleasure getting up at stupid 0 clock to watch the World Superbike Championship  opener at Phillip Island last weekend. I have to say Messrs Burnicle and Whitham were on form although I was disappointed there were none of the usual verbal attacks on each other that always add to the entertainment.    I’m sure they will put things right soon but the world superbike regulars must have been disheartened that Moto GP veterans nailed five of the six available rostrum slots.

Steam Punk Bike

This steam-punk inspired bike is the work of LA based sculptor and, er, free thinker, Baron Margo. From what we can work out is uses an early eighties air-cooled Z1000 Kawasaki as a base and is cloaked in this hand beaten alloy and copper bodywork. Can’t imagine it’s much fun in a cross wind, though.