Rare MV Agustas at Auction - The Gary Kohs Collection

See, this is absolute proof that I was never meant to be a collector of fine motorcycles. The past few years have seen some of the nicest, rarest, and most beautiful MV Agusta machines roll across the auction block...and this writer is worth more dead than alive! These bikes will only go up in value in the next decade as the super-wealthy start collecting vintage motorcycles (and it is becoming a fad among the Wall Street set). Thus, those lovely 'fire engines' and fire-breathing beasts will forever remain a dream, even to ride as they will probably be put behind glass and displayed or locked away in a massive garage outside Manhattan.

Anyway, if you happen to have some spare coin, head to Monterey in August:

http://tinyurl.com/7brk6b8

The Coolest Little MotorBike You May Ever See - The Derringer Cycle

It's a 49.4 cc engine shoehorned into a custom frame that resembles a bicycle frame, it gets over 200 miles on one US gallon of fuel, and in many states you need no more than a driver's license to operate it - no insurance, no registration - and it can be taken into the bicycle lane in some cities. It is high-style and utilitarian at the same time. I cannot do it much more justice, so please take the link to read the Motorcycle Classics article about this ultimate cool machine:

http://tinyurl.com/6m6wzrt

This one simply had to be posted. I admit that I am a design addict - I study it constantly and even do my own, though not professionally, yet (hint, nudge, wink) - so my personal bias certainly figures into this helmet appearing on this blog. However, it could be something to watch as there are some radical designs coming to light lately. At least two recent models may see production. This one might as well, but safety is a concern with that sharp-ish peak...but, new materials science and CAD do make things that were once dreams completely possible. Take the link for a little more information.

http://tinyurl.com/5vrk8q2

TTXGP Begins at Infineon Raceway Today!

Sorry this is so late, but the inaugural TTXGP race for the 2010 season will begin today at Infineon Raceway in California. The series will have 13 rounds and will end with a huge Grand Finale event in Spain. It is a historic weekend for all motorcycle racing - this is the first ever global electric racing series! You may be able to catch some of the action on your local motorsports TV channel if you cannot get to the track...check your local schedule. In the meantime, take the link below to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/397dhpu

AFM Season Opener at Buttonwillow Raceway & Cretu Bound for TT

The AFM Season started this past weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway in California. In the premier Formula Pacific class, Suzuki mounted Michael Earnest of Pacific Track Time took the victory. It was his first win in over 26 years of racing. Suzuki GSX-Rs filled the podium in that class. In Open Superbike, it was the second place finisher in the Formula Pacific class, one Correy Sarros, took the win. In the 750 Superbike and 600 Superbike, it was the YZF-R6 of Lenny Hale across the finish line first in both classes. For the other 25 classes, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yehtq9b

Brandon Cretu, a racer in the WERA series, has been accepted as a Newcomer in the Isle of Man TT - he may be the youngest American ever. He will be riding a Suzuki prepared by Mark Hamilton of Irish Bike Magazine as he did in the 2009 Ulster GP. It is an amazing nod for the young Cretu and a real credit to his ability with a bike. It is going to be a cool TT this year as some six or more marques will have factory supported efforts. I will find a way to watch it! Take the link to see the important details...

http://tinyurl.com/yfbskr5

Fischer Motor Introduces MRX650 Low & San Felipe 250 Results

Fischer Motor Company - they of GP frames, high-end suspension and components, and Hyosung engines - have now announced a lower seat model of their MRX650 machine. This is especially designed for the inseam-challenged amongst us, yet it still maintains the great handling and performance of the original model. The secret is the Trellispar - the only production one-piece frame on the market - and how well is hugs the track when pushing the bike as hard as you want. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhdahju

The San Felipe 250 is in the books now and it looks like Johnny Campbell Racing keeping Honda's dominance in Baja in sound order. Kawasaki's riders Robby Bell and Steve Hengeveld and second team riders Ryan and Connor Penhall rounded out the podium. This shows us once again (the first time being the Baja 1000) that Team Green is getting close to Honda in these off-road, hard core motorcycle races...

http://tinyurl.com/yk67dza

AMA Taking Applications for Utah WSBK & AMA California Hillclimb

That's right, the AMA is taking applications for qualified racers to take a wild-card position at the Miller Motorsports Park round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship. The event will take place over 29 - 31 May 2010 in Utah. The deadline is 23 April 2010, so get yours in soon! The AMA will choose two riders each for World Superbike and World Supersport, with Infront Motorsports choosing two more for Superbike and 10 more for Supersport. For the details, please see the press release after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhwyhep

The AMA California Championship Hillclimb starts this weekend at the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area - that's this Saturday and Sunday at the off-road park, which is near the town of Tracy. The details are about all you will find after the link, but you get all you need there too.

http://tinyurl.com/yjvmpoh

Ducati Returns to Isle of Man TT & Suzuki GSX R R32

Ducati has made it official, the factory will be returning to the Isle of Man TT with full support for Michael Rutter and his BSB team. Rutter will use Ducati motorcycles in four of five races he plans on challenging. It has only been about seven years since Ducati was last on the Island, but motorcycle technology has changed a great deal in those years. It will be another good reason to attend the event...if you are able!

http://tinyurl.com/yb52h7w

Harry Altena is a big fan of his VW R32 cage and he also operates a custom bike shop. Well, those two added up to the Suzuki GSX R R32, a custom Suzuki GSX-R1000 which has been matched to the car, believe it or not. The wheels look very much the same and the single-sided swingarm is actually an interesting piece. To understand the project, though, you really need to see it. So, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ybc9ovj

The San Felipe 250 Race Has Started!

Down in the well-known haunt of Baja California, at least for off-road racers, the San Felipe 250 will have started by now. The race itself was started this morning and Honda and Kawasaki are competing for the win in the open pro motorcycle class. Honda has dominated the Baja off-road racing world for many years now - can upstart Kawasaki - who does have a few veteran Baja racers - take a win from this very experienced team? Well, only the race action will tell us one way or another...so, pay attention and watch it if you are able!

http://tinyurl.com/yenj7xj

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Huntington Concours, Freddie Spencer & Paris Dainese Exhibit

Don't forget about the Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance this coming weekend in California. I have been over it here before, so I don't want to bore you (just do not forget that Burt Munro's Indian will be on display). Just take the link to get the details and show up if you can make it - after all, the price is not that bad for what you get to see!

http://tinyurl.com/yl9sybs

Speaking of historic motorcycles, Freddie Spencer is selling two of his championship winning race bikes through dealers RMD Motors. It seems that there are some financial issues and he needs the money more than the historic motorcycles. The 1983 Honda NS500 triple and the 1985 Honda NSR250 twin are on offer, so take the link and learn more. If you have a seriously large bank account go ahead and buy them!

http://tinyurl.com/yzousyt

Dainese recently opened an exhibit at the Cite des Sciences in Paris, France, which shows the history of body protection. It is full of leathers and other protective gear from many of history's greatest motorcycle racers. It is not only about Dainese as they also have many displays focused on road safety. The exhibit is called 'A Toute Epreuve: New Technologies for Protecting the Human Form' and runs until 8 August 2010. Get yourself to Paris tout de suite!

http://tinyurl.com/y9nfyms

More Afternoon Moto News - Husaberg Wins & Neil Freeman

Husaberg has won its first US National win for the 2010 National Enduro Series. Rider Mike Lafferty won the third round of the event held at Daytona Beach for Daytona Bike Week. His teammate, Nick Fahringer, placed third after pushing very hard to catch Russell Bobbit, who finished in second. The event was a bit of a struggle as there was plenty of mud, but the Husaberg factory team pulled off an impressive showing!

http://tinyurl.com/ye9bb3c

Neil Freeman (former crew chief for Jamie Hacking on the Monster Kawasaki AMA team) has joined forces with Spectrum Motorsports to offer customers access to a true speed shop. Out of this comes the Spectrum Speed Shop, which can take just about any motorcycle and make it more powerful and, of course, more powerful! For the details and how you can get your bike in for some work, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydplroe

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - Steve Rapp Interview & Day in the Dirt

Yep, we get ourselves an interview with one of the fastest riders in the Daytona 200 practice, Steve Rapp. Just a few weeks ago he was at home with no ride. The Latus Ducati team signed him up and put him on their 848 machine and he took the reins and ran with it. So, what has he been up to? How does he see the 2010 AMA Pro Racing season? Well, take the link and read about it!

http://tinyurl.com/yaylhgh

For the 13th time, the Day in the Dirt race - they say 'the Burning Man of off-road racing' - was held back around Thanksgiving of last year. Too bad this is the first report from this year's even that I have seen. The author takes part with thanks to Troy Lee Designs, sponsor of the event, and gets to ride with some legends of the sport. The best part of the entire race, though, is that FUN is of utmost importance - everyone should have a great time while competing! Take the link and enjoy the story...

http://tinyurl.com/y9admlh

Wednesday Night Moto News - Elena Myers Realizes a Dream

Elena Myers, who spends most of her time in Stockton, California, will make her professional racing debut this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway. She will be riding a Suzuki GSX-R600 in TWO AMA races this weekend - starting tomorrow. At 16-years-old, that will make Myers the youngest female to ever race as a pro in an AMA Pro Racing series. She has even had to battle back from a serious injury to get to this point...a true mark of a professional. Look for her to start showing up at a paddock near you!

http://tinyurl.com/y8quhpz

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Speed Dating & Dunlop Supports CSC

Road Racer X's Speed Dating column comes to us again...and I missed it earlier this week. Well, along with myself, Joe Petrali, Randy Krummenacher, Nicky Wimbauer, Takuma Aoki, Joey Dunlop, Toriano Wilson, Alex de Angelis, Joan Lascorz Moreno, Colin Edwards, Jorg Teuchert and Terry Rymer are all celebrating birthdays from this past week. Funny, Edwards and I share the same birthday and we were both born in Texas - but I am no MotoGP racer yet, why? Also, Triumph returned to racing during this week in 2003 in the British Supersport Championship.

http://tinyurl.com/ylq7h8t

The California State Championships (CSC) will now be supported by the Dunlop Motorcycle Tire company. It's a good thing for the three round series in this still bad economy...and they are quite pleased with how it has worked out so far. For more detail, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz3g5t5

MORE Morning Moto News - Haiti Relief Continues!

The linked story just popped up this morning and, in the interest of showing how motorcyclists care and to keep the focus on the disaster, I figured it would be a good idea to post this story on Haiti relief. This one takes place in Los Angeles and you have read about it before - Ride 4 Haiti - which starts out at Glendale Harley-Davidson on 27 February 2010. For all the people involved and the story behind all of this, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yf6d7gr

More Afternoon Moto News - New Norton, Motorcycle Safety & Allstate Giveaway

The new Norton Motorcycles will begin producing their Norton Commando 961 in England. Of course, we all know that the original design was penned by American Kenny Dreer, but it is Stuart Garner who had the resources to finally get the marque back in the business of making machines of lust. The first 50 Nortons should get to the US this year - that's a good thing when you consider how long many of these people have been waiting for their 2010 Commando.

http://tinyurl.com/y9zfewc

The California Highway Patrol is pushing a message of looking out for motorcyclists all across the state. Of course, the target audience is auto and truck drivers (mostly auto) drivers. The MSF is quite happy about this work as you would expect - and we should all thank the CHP for the effort. It is better than being ignored as we are in other states...

http://tinyurl.com/yhz7qo8

Through a press release, the Allstate insurance company has announced a special giveaway. One lucky winner will win a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle designed by legendary bike builder Dave Perewitz. It will be revealed on 19 February (I will update this post at that time) and will be a Pro Street style machine. To enter the "Allstate Pro Street Sweepstakes" please take the link to the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y8udajk

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Brett McCormick & Ride for Haiti

2009 Canadian Superbike Champion Brett McCormick will be racing with the Picotte Performance team, riding a Suzuki GSX-R1000, in the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike Championship for 2010. His team in Canada was just hit too hard by the economy to be able to support him in his home nation. So, he has decided to race in the US with his own money and some help from his new team. Let's wish him well!

http://tinyurl.com/ygwovtx

Out in Los Angeles, Jimmy Jean-Louis (someone in NBC’s TV show "Heroes"), and several other organizations are bringing a Ride for Haiti event to the city on 27 February 2010 - just a over a week away. The event will kick off from Glendale Harley Davidson. There is a plethora of information about the ride, the people involved and the people who will be helping Haiti with your donations. Please take the link and do something to help; the people of Haiti need whatever we can get to them...

http://tinyurl.com/yafakwd

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Kawasaki for the Cure & 250 MX Shootout

The Kawasaki Moto Marathon for the Cure was run in conjunction with the Anaheim III round of the AMA Supercross event, which was also themed with Breast Cancer Awareness, last weekend. It was a 24-hour event where riders were trained on off-road skills of all kinds for as long as they needed or wanted instruction. Participants were offered the classes for free as long as they made a donation to the San Diego Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. 75 riders attended and more than US$2500 was raised from just their donations! It is a long story, so please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yjnx58d

MotorcycleUSA has just wrapped up a test of all the popular 250cc motocross bikes - minus the Suzuki RM-Z250, which was unavailable for the test. They did test the 2010 Honda CRF250R, Kawasaki KX250F, KTM 250 SX-F and Yamaha YZ250F and came home with some results. To find out who won what and which machine is the best for MX riding and racing, please read the article after the link. (It looks like Big Red has done it again...)

http://tinyurl.com/yzlovnf

Sunday Afternoon Moto News - Anaheim III Supercross

The third and final AMA Supercross race in Anaheim, California, went off yesterday and may have changed a few things. First of all Kawasaki's Ryan Villopoto took the victory in a convincing way by leading the entire race. Second place was Yamaha man Josh Hill. In the Western Lites class, Honda-mounted Trey Canard proved himself worthy by taking the victory and moving into second place overall. In the premier class, Suzuki's Ryan Dungey has now welcomed another rider into a tie for first place - and that would be Josh Hill. For a cool video wrap-up and more information, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y92awd2

MORE Morning Moto News - Ezpeleta and Changi & Haiti Bike Wash

MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta is getting a bit impatient. See, the Changi Motorsports Hub is far behind schedule and should be much further along than it is now. The idea is to bring MotoGP to Singapore for the first time, but they cannot do that if there are no facilities there for them to use. Ezpeleta doesn't even want to talk about it these days as he has been promised its construction for over two years now and there is nothign to show for it...now he wants to push it to get done!

http://tinyurl.com/yh4ot68

Last weekend for our Bike Wash Fundraiser for Haiti. Join us this weekend, February 13-14, as Pro Italia will be holding our final bike wash to raise money for the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation in Haiti. We will wash your bike for a suggested donation $35, with all proceeds going to the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation. In addition we will give $5 to this worthy charity every time you buy a Pro Italia T-shirt, and $10 for every Pro Italia sweatshirt, or jacket. Please join us for a clean bike, good fun and, most importantly, a chance to help children.

Head on over: http://www.proitalia.com/