2002 Yamaha Banshee(green Sticker) (orange County) 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.

Police Catch Up with Motorcycle Doing 185 mph in YouTube Video

Authorities in British Columbia, Canada, have impounded a 2006 Yamaha R1 believed to have starred in a YouTube video reaching speeds of 299 kph (185 mph) on a freeway. The onboard video, embedded after the jump, captures the Yamaha weaving through traffic, and often lane-splitting between other vehicles, covering a 4.67 mile stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway in about a minute and 56 seconds. That translates to an average speed of 144.6 mph.

Motocross Pioneer Pierre Karsmakers Elected To AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Pierre Karsmakers, one of the first European motocross champions to bring his expertise to America, has been elected to the AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Class of 2014. A three-time motocross champion in his native Holland, Karsmakers came to the United States to gain wider exposure and attract the attention of the Japanese motorcycle makers. “All the Japanese (sponsorship) contracts were going to Belgian riders,” Karsmakers said.