1979 Yamaha Xs400 on 2040-motos

Moto blog

OEMs Plug into Electric Bikes

KTM introduced its prototype electric motorcycle earlier this week, and electric bike manufacturer Zero Motorcycles almost immediately responded by opening sales on its 2009 Zero X dirt bike (look for our review of the 2008 model next week!). But these two companies aren’t the only ones exploring the possibilities of electric-powered motorcycles. In September, Japan’s largest industrial information journal Nikkei Business Daily reported that both Honda and Yamaha have set target dates for launching their own electric-powered motorcycles.

A breath of fresh air

Dean Benstead's air-powered bike project, O2 Pursuit, which we spoke about a year ago, seems to have come along nicely since. Here's a video of the Australian's rotary air compression-engined Yamaha WR250R being taken out for a spin. Apparently it can hit 87 mph and cover more than 60 miles on a scuba-tankful's worth.

Pikes Peak 87th Annual International Hill Climb [pics and video]

Named after a man by the name of Zebulon Pike, an explorer who led an expedition to the area in 1806, Pikes Peak is home to the second oldest motorsports race in America second only to the Indianapolis 500. First completed in 1916, this year marks the 87th running of the “Race to the Clouds.” If the math doesn’t add up, this is because there were several years that the event did not run over the course of its 93 year history. The 12.4 mile trek up the mountain consists of 156 treacherous turns to an elevation of 14,110 feet.