More Ducati Multistrada Madness & Lawson and Spies on Video

The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is quite possibly the first ever near-perfect motorcycle. They say it is a four in one, and after reading so much about it I no longer doubt them. However, I do want to ride the thing myself to determine if it does live up to the hype - I am always skeptical with Ducati. The linked videos, though, will show you the high-tech side of the machine; the ability to set custom settings maps, personalized just for you, just blows away any competition presently...have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/y8s58gh

Ben Spies and Eddie Lawson sat down and talked about the differences between the racing technology today and what it was like when Lawson was taking wins. They also did some on track riding and demonstrated some rather incredible control. I guess we should expect no less from these guys...Yamaha set this up and produced the vids. It is much more than just marketing, though, so go and have a look.

http://tinyurl.com/y9xlndg

More Morning Moto News - Ducati Concept Trike, BMW in AMA & CPSIA, again

This design - the one you will see when you take the link - is from a French designer who decided he wanted something a bit more stable from the Ducati Desmosedici. He grafted a two-wheel front end onto the machine, believe it or not, and has turned it into a sort of street-quad, except that it is more like the Spyder RS. It may never be built, but at least the kid is thinking...

http://tinyurl.com/yfsjfxf

Liberty Waves Racing will be the first team to take the new BMW S1000RR racing in the AMA Pro paddock. The team is sponsored by Dairyland Cycle Insurance and they have some solid resources behind them. Eric Pinson, team boss, simply cannot wait to get the BMW on the track in the American Superbike series.

http://tinyurl.com/yew927s

Two rather well-known motorcycle personalities - Ben Spies and Kevin Schwantz, along with Robbie Maddison - have come together to help the fight against the CPSIA and what it has done to youth motorcycles and ATVs. If you are not familiar with this, you really need to take this link and brush up. If you are, then you know that having more celebrity behind the move to allow our children to ride bikes and ATVs their size is something we can make good use of!

http://tinyurl.com/yknn53z

More Morning Moto News - Rossi and Lorenzo, Capirossi & Spies and Stoner

Valention Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo (flew from Spain; not at testing due to his injury) again stopped in Indonesia on their way out from the testing at Sepang in Malaysia. It was yet another PR move, but it sure delighted fans in the huge Asian nation. The main purpose was to pay a visit to one of the Fiat Yamaha team's sponsors. Take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yjwhr9k

Loris Capirossi is rather pragmatic about his work on the Suzuki GSV-R. He feels that the team and his machine are actually in a good situation after the second test of the preseason. He did finish the test in sixth position, so he is in better shape than he was at the beginning of 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/ygq5k3m

Looks like Ben Spies and Casey Stoner have taken to each other quite well. The two share some activities off the track and Stoner has been giving advice to Spies about riding in the MotoGP Championship. It is nice to hear that these guys that have so much money at stake can still be good friends. 2010 will be a good year for MotoGP.

http://tinyurl.com/ykgnh79

More Afternoon Moto News - MotoGP at Sepang, Marco Simoncelli & Team Recaps

The MotoGP testing is continuing on the Malaysian Sepang International Circuit - and Valentino Rossi is still leading everyone in lap times at the practice. Behind him this time were Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards and Ben Spies. This speaks volumes on what we may see when the first race is complete...Hayden and Edwards are both improving greatly. We may actually see larger groups at the front this year. Either way, 2010 will be a wonderful year for motorcycle racing!

http://tinyurl.com/y8g47ct

Marco Simoncelli is not having such a good test, though, as he had a huge get-off during the practice sessions. He high-sided his Gresini Honda about three laps into his session; everyone was horrified at the accident as Simoncelli landed directly on his head. He was taken in for a CAT scan and all came back clear, but it still caught the attention of every ride and tech in the paddock.

http://tinyurl.com/yc49g7s

Take the link below to the MotoGP section of the Paddock Talk website where you will find several press releases from the MotoGP teams. There are several test 'recap' stories for you to peruse. So, take the link and click on your favorite team's report to see how they think the testing is going for them...

http://tinyurl.com/yznyogq

Sunday Morning Moto News - Indy Dealer Expo & MIC Meeting

At Indianapolis, Indiana, this weekend, the 2010 Dealer Expo has attracted a decent crowd of enthusiasts for this year's show - but the overall number of participants is way down. On day 1 at the show, Malcolm Smith was in attendance at the Husqvarna (only marque in attendance this year) booth, Ben Spies was signing autographs and Danny Eslick was wondering around a looking at the new bits and bobs. Today will have a host of other announcements and special events; so, get there if you can!

http://tinyurl.com/ylqszta

http://tinyurl.com/y94epfy

Day 2 of the Dealer Expo: http://tinyurl.com/ye6quow

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) also held their annual members-only meeting in Indianapolis in conjunction with the Dealer Expo. Their main topic was the economic recession and its effects on the industry. Of course, there was some good news, but there are also still plenty of businesses in our industry which are struggling. They even set up a booth at the Expo where members, exhibitors and dealers can stop by and get some information or voice their own concerns. For more, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yeuce9l

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Yamaha Celebrates & Bonhams Vintage European Auction

Yamaha Motor Company has released some videos to celebrate their 2009 racing season. Champions Ben Spies, Cal Crutchlow, Tony Cairoli and James Stewart and their race machines are featured in these highlight videos from last season. Yamaha has a way with these things and they are well worth watching.

http://tinyurl.com/yarmqy2

At the Bonhams sale of An Important European Collection of Pioneer, Vintage and Collectors’ Motorcycles at the RAF Museum, Hendon on 27 February 2010, a selection of small and some strange European motorcycles will be auctioned. They will have everything there from a three-seater 1937 Böhmerland 603cc Langtouren all the way to a "penny farthing" - which is a converted bicycle. For more information, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhy473o

More Morning Moto News - Rossi and Lorenzo, Freixenet & More About Sepang Practice

MotoGP Fiat Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi took some time after their testing in Malaysia to stop in Thailand. They visited the Yamaha Riders Club and visited with and answered the questions of a select group of lucky riders. It was certainly an event not to be missed if you live in that nation!

http://tinyurl.com/yaobqna

Freixenet and Dorna have decided to continue their partnership. Freixenet will continue to provide the cava at each of the MotoGP events through 2011. It's always good news when a huge sponsor like this stays the course.

http://tinyurl.com/ycwdxrk

First up in the practice category is the unbelievable early performance of Ben Spies at the Malaysian test. He was on fire and managed to be in the top-five overall. That bodes very well for his freshman year in the MotoGP paddock.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8ds93

Loris Capirossi had a great test in Malaysia and he is quite happy with the testing he and his team completed. They have made some definite progress and it did show last weekend. As for Alvaro Bautista, he also made great progress in getting used to his new race weapon. Suzuki seems ready to compete, but only time will tell.

http://tinyurl.com/ybcwa43

More Afternoon Moto News - Warren Willing, VaVaVroom & Ben Spies

This Easter at the 2010 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza (HBBB), Warren Willing, 1976 Australian Unlimited Road Racing Champion, will be returning to the track again. However, he will only be riding a special 3-cylinder Suzuki 350, built for him to contest the 1973 New Zealand International Season, on some demonstration laps. Willing has not been on a race machine since his 1979 North West 200 accident...this is a great chance to get up close and personal with a motorcycle racing hero for many.

http://tinyurl.com/yf4chss

VaVaVroom, motorcycle clothing & gear for her, will be making the show at the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, 12 - 14 February 2010. The hype around their lines is only increasing and they even have new designs which will be making the show. So, if you are a female motorcyclist, this is worth the trip to the Expo.

http://tinyurl.com/ykgj4ol

Finally, a Republican Congressman does something nice! Representative Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) actually recognized Ben Spies for his accomplishments in World Championship motorcycle racing on the floor of the US House of Representatives yesterday. Granted, there are more important things for our elected representatives to be doing now, but this only took a few minutes and it means a great deal to us fans and to our World Champion, Ben Spies.

http://tinyurl.com/yz59n7a

Friday Morning Moto News - MotoGP Testing, Leon Camier & Giampiero Sacchi

The Malaysian MotoGP test has now concluded - at least according to reports - and Valentino Rossi once again took the fastest lap time at the track. Stoner was right behind him, with the usual Lorenzo and Pedrosa - but, Ben Spies held fifth place! We are in for a phenomenal race year in that series in 2010!

http://tinyurl.com/yddydwx

More on the Day 2 testing: http://tinyurl.com/yagfyhd

More on the Day 3 testing: http://tinyurl.com/yc5qsr6

Leon Camier is convinced that he will be able to learn a great deal from riding with Max Biaggi on the Aprilia factory team in WSBK. It makes sense as Biaggi does have a long career in motorcycle racing at all levels and he knows the RSV-4 race machine even better. There really is little doubt that Camier will be a high-level competitor and will only make the WSBK paddock more fun to watch.

http://tinyurl.com/yb7b8el

And, in other Aprilia news, word is that Giampiero Sacchi will be leaving the company comes out. Word is that he is fed up with the direction that Aprilia is taking following the decision to drop their Moto2 project. Of course, this is all hear-say right now...

http://tinyurl.com/yejh6yf

Monday Afternoon Moto News - Ben Spies, James Toseland & Scala Rider G4

Ben Spies is in no hurry to prove anything in the MotoGP paddock this year - he is well aware that he has a great deal to learn. It will not be another 2009 World Superbike season for him in his new series, but he will probably get some stellar finishes, and I bet he places rather high by the end of the year. However, it could also be a nasty crashing year for him...if it is, you do know he will learn not to make the same mistakes again. The 2010 MotoGP Championship is going to be fantastic!

http://tinyurl.com/y9fkc4k

James Toseland now has TCX boots as a sponsor in his World Superbike Championship season. The Italian manufacturer almost seems to have done this for the purpose of pun...see the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8jborn

Yep, Cardo Systems has just announced the release of their most technologically advanced motorcycle communication system to date - Scala Rider G4. It will support up to four people (2 riders, 2 passengers), a mobile phone, GPS, and even has built-in FM radio. The controller is light and durable and it will be at dealers very soon. For more details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz63sts

More Morning Moto News - Hopper, Mark Neale & Ben Spies

More news comes to us about John Hopkins and his dual role in 2010 with both the FB Corse MotoGP outfit and the M4 Suzuki AMA Pro Racing team. It seems that both options are a possibility - he may ride in two series this year. The FB Corse team, though, will only participate in select MotoGP rounds, but M4 will contest the entire American Superbike season. For more, take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yf22uvd

More Hopper news: http://tinyurl.com/yd2gd89

Mark Neale is at it again! Remember the documentaries Faster and The Doctor, The Tornado and the Kentucky Kid? Well, he has now made on about last year's Isle of Man TTXGP race with the electric motorcycles - it is called, appropriately, Charge. Take the link and learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yzqcrtd

It seems that Ben Spies will be one of the heaviest riders on the MotoGP circuit in 2010. He has given serious thought to losing some weight, but he also had some great success at Valencia while being at his current weight. Given how fit he is, I have to think that his weight is only a minor concern for his team, so nothing important to think about there...he is very talented and his size will not change that.

http://tinyurl.com/yz4pqh3

Tuesday Morning Moto News - WSBK DVD, Toseland and Tamada

The 2009 World Superbike Season Review DVD is now available for purchase. If you would like to relive the historic season, want to see some of the events you missed, or if you simply collect them all, this is the DVD for you. It details the season long competition between veteran Noriyuki Haga and rookie Ben Spies, of which most of us know the ending. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ndurn

Ever since he left Ducati to take on the challenge of BMW in WSBK, Davide Tardozzi just cannot seem to keep his opinions to himself - or, the press just will not leave the man alone. Either way, we now hear that he thinks James Toseland lost something during his two years in MotoGP. Tardozzi just does not see Toseland as a threat in the WSBK paddock. So, read the article and let me know what you think...

http://tinyurl.com/y9mbrcc

MotoGP and WSBK veteran Makoto Tamada has secured a seat in the WSBK paddock for 2010. He will be riding for Pro Ride Honda in the series. No further details given, but the official announcement is expected soon.

http://tinyurl.com/ybdlxuz

Tuesday Morning Moto Racing News - Dakar and, uh, James Ellison

Yep, we are getting near the final and important stages in the Rally Dakar. Stage Nine ended yesterday and our former champion (who has little chance of winning this year, unfortunately) KTM's Marc Coma won the stage by only four seconds to take his third stage victory in 2010. Right behind him was current points leader - and likely winner of the 2010 event - Cyril Despres on his KTM. Aprilia's Francisco Lopez ran in third for this stage and remains in third place overall. For more, take one or all of the following links.

http://tinyurl.com/y96uz24

http://tinyurl.com/ycebsnd

http://tinyurl.com/y9bxhq6

http://tinyurl.com/ybze7tm

And, in other racing news, we hear that British Superbike star James Ellison has been in Texas training with Ben Spies for the 2010 season. Given his appearances in the final events of the 2009 season of BSB - with Leon Camier, who took first as Ellison took second - one would think he would also have a ride in 2010. But, that is not the case. However, if someone should pick him up, he will be in great shape to challenge for the championship in any series!

http://tinyurl.com/ye86ewr

Some Wednesday Evening Moto News - Tom Houseworth and Moto Guzzi

We are being graced with an interview of Tom Houseworth, crew chief for the Yamaha World Superbike factory team and Ben Spies. Houseworth will be going with Spies to MotoGP in 2010, and it is expected that they will continue to work very well together. So, how does he feel about Spies winning the WSBK title in 2009 and their imminent move to the premier racing series? Well, take the link and find out.


http://tinyurl.com/ykjbeeb


Also, we have news that Spanish Ducati specialists Radical Ducati have taken a turn on a Moto Guzzi. They have modified a 2003 California 1100 to look and ride like a dirt track machine. It sure looks 'different' and a bit odd, but it works for me!


http://tinyurl.com/yf59d87

Monday Morning Moto News - Back to Work Edition

Yep, the holiday season is now over - we have to face it and get back to work. Some of us worked over the holiday anyway, but it is always evident that normalcy has returned when the e-mail inbox gets full by 7 AM.

In the first story of the first work week of 2010, we get yet another spy shot of the forthcoming MV Agusta 3-cylinder 675c.c. machine (rumored), which may be known as the F3. It may be just the same as the shot we have from the Euro magazines, so expect no more.

http://tinyurl.com/y9juqmf

How about some more updates from the 2010 Rally Dakar in South America. There are a few here, so take your time in reading them. Coma has been assessed a penalty which could see him lose his chance at the title this year, but the 450 machine of Sherco rider David Casteu put him in second with Yamaha WR450 rider Frenchman David Fretigne taking the victory on the second day. There is much more beyond the links.

http://tinyurl.com/ycgdxrl

http://tinyurl.com/y8kkpnp (English needs work on this site)

Valentino Rossi will be showing up at the Auto Expo in New Delhi, India, 5 - 11 January 2010. He will be there representing Yamaha Motors for the event. It will certainly add to the attendance at the show!

http://tinyurl.com/y8nm2ke

A short piece on the World Superbike 2009 season and what we might expect in 2010. After all, Ben Spies won fully half of the races lats season, so who will take his place on the podium? Hopefully, it will finally be Haga's year!

http://tinyurl.com/yauaxmh

Ben Spies Will NOT Participate in MotoGP Rookie Tests

Herve Poncharal, Tech 3 Yamaha boss, has said that Spies does not need to have the test as he will have plenty of time to adapt to the YZR-M1. Poncharal is even upset at the MotoGP bosses for allowing the extra tests considering the dire financial straights of the industry now. I can understand where he is coming from, but even the best riders need practice.

http://tinyurl.com/yesaobz

Very Good Round-Up of Racing News This Week

Again, we come across Road Racer X's Road Racerhead for this week. There is not so much racing news this week as many teams are heading home for the holidays. However, there is always something going on in the motorcycle racing world in one way or another. Check it out and you will get updated on the MotoCzysz MotoGP hopes, Antonio Banderas' Moto2 team, and much more...

http://tinyurl.com/yghqp6n

Rossi Receives Awards from Italian Press in Bologna

During his trip up to Bologna for the motor show there, Valentino Rossi also attended some events just for him. One of them was a night for Italian magazine awards; Rossi received the 'Top Rider' award from the readers of Motosprint - the other was the very prestigious Casco d'Oro award, which is the top award for any rider from the moto press in Italy. It was a good night for him...and some others, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yauzze7

Jorge Lorenzo Very Confident in Yamaha's MotoGP Future

Lorenzo is one of the top-flight riders in the MotoGP Championship - always a threat to win a race, no matter where it is. Given his experience in the series, he really feels that Yamaha is the one to beat in 2010 and likely beyond. It makes sense when you see who is riding Yamahas in 2010 - Lorenzo, Rossi, Edwards and Spies.

http://tinyurl.com/yhms3ah

Also, here are some photos of his time in Bali where he took a vacation while he was touring Yamaha establishments in Asia last month.

http://tinyurl.com/yjnyryq

And, he is ready to challenge Rossi in the MotoGP Championship next year:

http://tinyurl.com/yz53xat

Tech 3 Yamaha Looks to Win Races in 2010 MotoGP Season

First we hear from Colin Edwards and how he believes that Ben Spies will be a real challenge in the 2010 MotoGP Championship. He really thinks that Spies will be a solid force in his new role at Tech 3 - and who can argue with him after Spies took the WSBK Championship in his first year there. Of course, the MotoGP motorcycle is very different from the Superbike.

http://tinyurl.com/yh4prbd

Next, it the new is from Herve Poncharal - Tech 3 chief - about 2010 and how much they want a victory in 2010. He, too, believes that Spies will be a threat to win once he gets the YZR-M1 sorted...

http://tinyurl.com/ylkautj

And, Poncharal wants Edwrads to stay with the team even long after he stops racing - that's an indication of just how much the team respects Edwards.

http://tinyurl.com/yckenyr

Even Casey Stoner believes that Spies will be a real force when he joins the Tech 3 team in MotoGP in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/ya3ql8t