Deeley HD Ready to Race & Motorpoint Yamaha BSB Team Debut

Deeley Harley-Davidson, long a supporter of motorcycle racing, will continue to race in the Canadian Superbike Championship. Their Ruthless Racing team will be racing both Buells and H-D XR1200 machines in the Canadian Sports Twin, Pro Superbike and Pro Sport Bike classes. There is more to this press release, so please take the link and read on through...

http://tinyurl.com/yzdjchb

The British Superbike Championship team Motorpoint Yamaha will be doing their team unveiling this coming Friday (26 March 2010) at their UK HQ in Derby. Neil Hodgson, Dan Linfoot and Niall Mackenzie will all be on hand at the introduction - and, entry is free and open to the public. For all the hot details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yjntc6y

Friday Afternoon Moto News - Zero Motorcycle to Display 2010 Models & Zero Hires Former Buell Engineer

First up is the news that the long-awaited models from Zero Motorcycles will be premiering at Daytona Bike Week next month. Zero will have all four of their electric motorcycle models at the event - and there will be demo rides available! This is big news as Zero is the only electric bike manufacturer with four different models available to the public now.

http://tinyurl.com/ycb8m2l


Next, we get news that Zero Motorcycles has hired a former Buell engineer to be their Vice President of Engineering. Abe Askenazi has a wealth of experience and several higher education degrees (which somehow qualify him above people with more experience) and will be running their engineering and design groups. Given Askenazi's past, though, we can expect things to hum along at Zero for the foreseeable future.

http://tinyurl.com/y8mclxd

More Afternoon Moto News - Latus Racing & Ducati Desmosedici II

George Latus, a Portland (Oregon) Harley-Davidson dealer, could not race a Buell in the AMA Daytona SportBike Championship, so he went to local dealer MotoCorsa and picked up a Ducati 848. He has also signed Steve Rapp to ride the machine in the series, and that will give him an advantage. Of course, as H-D always has done (see V-Rod, Aermacchi, MV Agusta, etc.), they went to Europe for help and it just may pay off this time.

http://tinyurl.com/yehe8ob

Ducati is actually considering whether to release an updated model of the Desmosedici RR street MotoGP replica. Considering that they initially were only to make 300 of the first version, yet ended up selling 1500 of them, they will likely take the jump and produce the new model. One major difference between the old and the new version, though, will be a full carbon fiber frame! I am looking forward to the new version...

http://tinyurl.com/yhhvjjh

Saturday Morning Moto News - Bakker Nelis, Recalls & Buell Liquidation

Remember the Suzuki TL1000? It had a great engine, but was let down just a bit by its chassis. Well, Dutch chassis man Nico Bakker has taken the engine from that Suzuki machine and placed it a frame of his own design - it is destined to become a Triumph Speed Triple competitor, but it is a bit more expensive. Take the the link to see for yourself...

http://tinyurl.com/y97xeg2

We have heard endless articles written about the Aprilia RSV-4 engine recall...but, we have not heard much about Kawasaki's recall of their 2009 Super Sherpa KL250G9F. Apparently, there is an issue with plastic pieces - from the painting process - getting into the engine and seizing a camshaft. You need to get that one checked quick!

http://tinyurl.com/yzhzllh

Over at the former Buell plant the liquidation of the factory has now started. There were many interesting items available on the first day, but there were only a few 'great deals' available at this time. The vehicles, for instance, were all at Blue Book value. It must have been a rather sad day for fans of the marque...but some got good deals and some will get them later.

http://tinyurl.com/yfwxlue

Thursday Morning Moto News - Erik Buell & WSBK Valencia Testing

An exclusive interview with Buell man Erik comes to us via MotorcycleUSA, and it is rather long. If there are any burning questions you have about Buell's demise or the reasoning behind the whole thing, you might find an answer or two here. Otherwise, Buell is as much in the dark as the rest of us - only H-D knows some of the answers, and they won't talk about it until people start retiring.

http://tinyurl.com/yz3bmfr

At the second testing session for which the Aprilia World Superbike team has traveled to Valencia, a heavy downpour has caused them to stop their testing. They have nearly lost a full day's worth of information due to the unexpected storm. It looks like they will only have the Phillip Island test to finalize settings for Camier and Biaggi.

http://tinyurl.com/ylqtnbz

It wasn't only Aprilia's team having a hard time, we also see that the BMW WSBK team was 'washed out' of practice due to the heavy rain.

http://tinyurl.com/yz3jphe

Even More Afternoon Moto News - DMG/AMA Pro Racing

Where will AMA Pro Racing be tomorrow? Has the Daytona Motorsports Group killed American Superbike racing for all of us? Well, some would certainly agree that DMG has screwed things up pretty good, but other would argue that we have yet to give it enough time. Still, no Honda, no Ducati, no Yamaha, no Kawasaki will receive factory support in 2010, so what are we left with? Not much but private and some pseudo-factory teams. It should make for some interesting results, but at what cost? Will anyone even watch the sport in 2010? And, I suppose the most important question is will it ever improve, or can it be saved? Maybe the racers will find a way to save the sport we all know and love, but they have their work cut out for them...

http://tinyurl.com/y8sgbna

More Afternoon Moto News - Pretty Buell, Harley 48 & Aspire

A builder and designer in the U.K. has actually managed to turn the Buell 1125R into something which has a far superior aesthetic value than the stock model. The bike is called the Magpul Ronin, and it just may be a model for future products. As it is now, it is merely a prototype, but the Buell owners will likely push them to produce some of the cool bits on this machine for the public to buy. If Magpul does not, they will be losing some serious money.

http://tinyurl.com/ykvge96

And, it is from the same source that we get the first real look at the new Harley-Davidson 48. It is based on a Sportster 1200 (the second most common H-D) and it has fatter tires and a single seat. Not sure what is supposed to be so special, but then I am not an obsessive H-D fan like some are...

http://tinyurl.com/ykljt9u

US review: http://tinyurl.com/y93gugm

And, here is some important news for U.K. residents; the Aspire charity group which does work for people with severe spinal injuries, allowing them to live normal lives. They will be having what they call a D-Day Ride Out, which will take place in France on 12 - 13 June 2010. Head on over to the website for more details.

http://www.aspire.org.uk/bikers/

More Afternoon Moto News - Erik Buell Racing and Day of the Champions

Erik Buell Racing may survive the demise of the Buell marque after all! That is good news for motorcycle design and racing. He has sold two machines - the first sale for the new company - to a German racer who will use it to defend his 2009 championship in the Europe's Sound of Thunder Series. Nice news to receive for all of us...

http://tinyurl.com/ydcdy7f

In South Africa, on 31 January 2010, the 2010 Castrol/Honda Day of the Champions will take place at the Zwartkop Raceway. Around 18 foreign professional racers - from all over - from the 'golden age motorcycle racing' will attend and compete in the event. Luminaries such as Phil Read, Mick Grant, Alan Walker, Sir Alan Cathcart, John Chapman and Tony Salt will be racing against some of South Africa's best all time riders. It is an event worth attending, but it is very far from most everywhere. So, if you can, go, have fun and meet some of your motorcycling heroes.

http://tinyurl.com/ybwlh84

Another report on the Day of Champions: http://tinyurl.com/yzcq9xs

Even More Monday Afternoon Moto News - Buell Auction and Husky

The Buell factory in Easy Troy, Wisconsin, will be auctioning off equipment from the factory and some motorcycles used for design duties - though none of them are Buells. The motorcycles are a 1999 BMW R1100RT, a 1998 KTM Dakar, a 2007 Triumph Speed Triple and a 2008 KTM SuperDuke. Also available will be trucks, tools, lifts trailers and much, much more. It all starts on 28 January 2010 and will lats about a month, or until most everything sells. Get there or lose out on some great deals.

http://tinyurl.com/yb6wun7

Husqvarna is looking for more dealers in the United States. Now that they are part of BMW, the company is in great financial shape and is producing some of the most interesting, good looking and useful motorcycles in the world. I would become a dealer, but they would probably not have me. So, if you are lucky enough to be attending the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, 13 - 15 February 2010, stop by their booth and you may find yourself selling Husky bikes.

http://tinyurl.com/yc9g59q

Saturday Morning General Moto News - A Show, A Man and a Bike

First we will start with the show. In Toronto at the International Centre during 15 - 17 January 2010, the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW will have 7 halls dedicated to various motorcycle disciplines including cruisers, customs, racing, and much more. It seems to be a very large event which gets only basic press coverage here in the US. If you live nearby, though, you should go and check it out! All manufacturers should have a presence there and there will be vendors from all over North America and elsewhere.

http://tinyurl.com/y9g9mve

And, now on to the man; Julian Ryder, Eurosport MotoGP commentator and longtime motorcycle journalist, will be making an appearance at English dealer Tippetts Honda for a night of conversation about the MotoGP broadcasting experience. Tickets are only £5 and they are limited, so get yours quickly. Ryder is always worth listening to and he has a way with words...

http://tinyurl.com/ybzfkx5

And now on to the bike - it is the Buell 1125CR, believe it or not, and it is the hottest selling 1000c.c.+ motorcycle in all of the United Kingdom for December. I guess we can say that all of the dealers cutting the price in half have had an effect. If you can get yourself a Buell, this is the time to do it as they are dirt cheap and they are, in fact, full of great tech. You should also not have a problem with spares as Harley-Davidson has promised to keep parts stocked for a long while.

http://tinyurl.com/yedyuqh

Rumors, Financials, New Models - More Moto News from Europe and Beyond

This is the standard "Euro Gossip" column from MotorcycleUSA and we see a round up from the end of 2009 within this article. It really seems to be an almost year-end-review, but there is plenty of news about the future as well. MV Agusta, KTM, Derbi, Moto Guzzi and many more are talked about here, so don't miss this as any of the stories here may well not make the normal moto news cycle.

http://tinyurl.com/y9vqodz

Monday Morning News from Around the Moto World

This is the first Monday beyond Christmas; some of you are working, and some of you are on holiday. Either way, we all like to know what is going on in the world of motorcycles...

First, a nice little video from the FIM Speedway Grand Prix round in Copenhagen this past June 2009. It's an incredible display even if the video is not high-quality. Take a look:

http://tinyurl.com/yb37usq

Now we have further news on the Donington Park fiasco. It has returned to the Wheatcroft family after the 150-year deal with Donington Ventures Leisure Limited failed to sell. The economy is certainly part of the problem, but there are other issues with the track itself. We all hope that someone will come in and rescue this historic British circuit.

http://tinyurl.com/ydlwuub

Here is an article on the least reliable motorcycles in the industry, and I bet you will not like what you see. The author based the placement on the number of recalls for each brand. Given this measuring stick, Harley-Davidson / Buell have the worst initial quality; Ducati is right after them (after all, they are the H-D of Italy); and, oddly enough, BMW is in third worst position...take a look.

http://tinyurl.com/yaugo6j

An interesting look at 'mystery bikes' of the past and present. Actually, they are home-built prototypes or concept motorcycles which we have seen pop up on a regular basis. Some are rather in need of some paint or something to pretty them up, but others are well-done and complete. Just pay a visit and see what you think.

http://tinyurl.com/ydzzl7s

First Ride: 2009\2010 Buell 1125RR Race Bike

So, the company is now dead, but there will still be some support from Erik Buell racing and even H-D. Whether you will ever be able to get your hands on one of these Buell 1125RR machines is a very hard question to answer. However, at least we get to ride the bike through someone else's experience to see what we might think of the machine - a machine which will probably appreciate with time.

http://tinyurl.com/yelbdt9

Canadian H-D Importer Deeley Harley-Davidson will Support Racing in 2010

Even though the Buell brand is dead now, Deeley Harley-Davidson will continue to race them in the Canadian racing series. The Deeley Racing/Ruthless Racing team will compete in Canadian Pro Superbike, Yoshimura Pro Sport Bike, the new Sports Twins Pro/Am Classes, and the Western Canadian Championships. One question remains, though, racing rules usually stipulate homologation - and a dead motorcycle marque cannot do this...

http://tinyurl.com/yjrt66a

United Kingdom Bike Sales Go Naked!

It seems that the motorcycle market is still on a downward trend, unfortunately. Of course, things could be improving, but people are getting themselves necessities instead of purchasing big-ticket items. Plus, it is winter and the Christmas season is upon us - that could be a factor as well. The interesting part of this report is the sales of naked sportbikes - that segment is leading all motorcycle sales presently. What is even more sad is how popular the Buell 1125CR and R are in the U.K. - too bad the company is gone...

http://tinyurl.com/ygv89an

Erik Buell Not Only Lives, He Thrives

Buell is now announcing that Erik Buell Racing will be providing race-spec 1125R for DMG / AMA Pro Racing Daytona SportBike and 1125RR for racing in American Superbike. Such good news to know he is doing what he loves again. I hope it all works well for him...it will not be easy, but he is used to that. There will also be a Euro-spec 1190RR - not sure for what series, exactly, but it may fit in many.

http://tinyurl.com/yzupe28

Bad Economy Bites into International Motorcycle Show at Long Beach

It's true, there will be 9% fewer exhibitors due to the sour global economy. Piaggio group will not be there; Kymco, KTM and Buell (obvious) will also not show up for the event. Unfortunately, most of these companies are working to help their dealers and other connected companies to weather this recession, so there is little money to throw at a trade show presently. All understandable, but I hope that next year will be much, much better!

http://tinyurl.com/yh8avts

Even More Economic Issues - Harley-Davidson Suffering with Huge Inventory

H-D has already slowed production, laid-off employees, and they are killing Buell and selling MV Agusta. Now, their inventory is building up despite the slowing factories. Some dealers have nearly twice the inventory they would normally have at this time of year. Some models are still tough to get, but others are selling at some discounts; the real problem is financing, though, as few banks are lending for motorcycle purchases.

http://tinyurl.com/y8ajlt4

Hector Arana Presented With NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship

Hector Arana won 5 of 6 finals and qualified in first place nine times! He takes home check for $75,000 from NHRA and Full Throttle for his Pro Stock Motorcycle Championship. The Buell rider performed very well in the 2009 season and he took home a championship for all of that work. Oh, and no worries about Buell being gone now, the engines they use in Pro Stock Motorcycle are only loosely based on the Milwaukee V-twins. Good luck next year Arana!

http://tinyurl.com/ylpzroo

Erik Buell Starts Erik Buell Racing - Good News

It is nice to see Buell stepping away from Harley and moving back to doing something on his own. He will start by providing race-only parts for racing Buell motorcycles and will build race-spec 1125R motorcycles under license from H-D (the least they could do for him). It will, of course, be known as Erik Buell Racing and will be based in East Troy, Wisconsin. For more info, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yg7xn9k