Afternoon Moto News - Yamaha YZ450F & Honda CRF250R

We have all heard the various reports on the new for 2010 Yamaha YZ450F. Well, we finally have a test on the machine - outside of just watching James Stewart - and it is presented here by Cycle World. Of course, the changes made to the engine and chassis do make a difference, and the bike is much stronger on the start. So, how does it handle? Well, take the link and learn for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yf569q3

And, the 2010 Honda CRF250R is the first 250c.c. motocrosser to have fuel injection. The bike itself is almost 100% new - from the ground up, minus the tires, wheels and some buts and bolts. The fuel injection has not even added to the weight - it weighs the same as the 2009 model. How does all of this work together? Again, it is best that you read it from the source.

http://tinyurl.com/ybtam7h

2010 Motorcycle Reviews - Aprilia, KTM and Triumph from Cycle World

This is a huge collection of articles with which you can waste many hours. Of course, you may actually be in the market for a new motorcycle; if that is the case, this could be called due diligence.

Cycle World has put together their entire reviews for each of the following marques' 2010 models which are sold in the US (and some others which might make it there). Each and every model has its own page which links out from the main article linked below. They even include MSRP!

Aprilia: http://tinyurl.com/ygdt4o3

KTM: http://tinyurl.com/yfj4mch

Triumph: http://tinyurl.com/yjjusst

All in all a great resource which should not be missed.

Tuesday Afternoon Moto News from Around the World - More...

That's right, there is even more moto news today, but it sure is coming late and slow - must be the holidays.

Cycle World reviews the 2010 Ducati motorcycles for our pleasure. This link will display a list for you, which includes the 1198, 1198 R Corse Edition, 1198S, 1198S Corse Special Edition, 848, GT1000 SportClassic, Hypermotard 1100 EVO, Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP, Hypermotard 796, Monster 1100, Monster 1100S, Monster 696, Multistrada 1200, Streetfighter and Streetfighter S. So, you get the entire line-up placed in front of you...

http://tinyurl.com/ydet7se

They also try their hands at the new 2010 models from Kawasaki. This includes way too many to list here, so take the link and go and have a look - there are 21 different models reviewed there!

http://tinyurl.com/ybt74j3

And, finally, the people over at Mission Motors have taken their Mission One out to Infineon Raceway - and they pushed the bike to its limits and filmed every bit of it. You can watch after the link

http://tinyurl.com/ye7d9vv

First Look: 2010 BMW F800GS

Technically, this is not the first look we have had of the F800GS, but it is the first simple technical detail posting about the 2010 machine. Just take the link and get the basics on this very cool adventure bike from our friends at BMW.

http://tinyurl.com/y9tc6k5

Catching Up With Eddie Lawson - Four Time GP Champion

Eddie Lawson is another household name in the world of motorcycle racing. He is an American who won the MotoGP (Motorcycle Grand Prix) title four times during his career. That is something amazing even in a world with Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini (who may have practically pushed Lawson to leave Yamaha for Honda). This interview is very recent and incredibly informative. Go and have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/yd3oujo

The Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Line-up

So, this is actually only a list of the major manufacturers, and it does not include the custom shops, speed shops, accessories vendors, apparel vendors...etc. But, you will notice that BMW and Victory are only at select venues - and there are many names missing from this year's list. Have a look...hopefully you will be attending the Long Beach edition.

http://tinyurl.com/ye2qs7k

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

TapouT and Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows Bring You Meet the Fighters and VooDoo Customs

Long title, but it is a long list of participants! Suzuki has worked with VooDoo Industries will be presenting the TapouT Tribute Suzuki on Friday, 4 December 2009. It's a small world; I was just speaking with Rob Uecker while he was on the road to this event. When he arrives and sets up, they will be presenting a lovely Hayabusa customized by VooDoo for the TapouT fighters, Punkass and Skyskrape. I think you will be impressed, but you be the judge - we will see them this weekend after they are shown to the TapouT fans in their Lounge.

http://tinyurl.com/yc8fa77

Motorcycle Book: The Grand Prix Motorcycle by Kevin Cameron of Cycle World

Cycle World's Kevin Cameron is a very well-known motorcycle nerd (not unlike myself) and he knows what he is writing about (not like me) - everything about a motorcycle. His knowledge is deep and he even admits when he is wrong - and manages to teach us something at the same time. His "The Grand Prix Motorcycle" covers every 500c.c./MotoGP Motorcycle Grand Prix era since 1949 up to 2008 - and, he details several championship winning grand prix motorcycles. It is a good read, but having a pen and paper to work out equations which he bandies about is a good idea...

http://tinyurl.com/yclkc8z

Suzuki's Champions Tour Coming to an International Motorcycle Show Near You

That's right, Suzuki won six major championships in 2009 in the US. To show thanks for all of the fan support, Suzuki will be starting the Champions Tour. It will be included in the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows (IMS) as it tours the country. Included will be at least five pieces of racing mecha - Dungey's RM-Z250, a replica of Mat Mladin's bike, and more. All you have to do to catch the tour is visit the IMS when it comes to your town...

http://tinyurl.com/yeekyus

Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows - Save Money on Admission

OK, so this is shameless promotion, but it will be my only income for a while. So, I must do what needs to be done. The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows are about to kick off in a city or town near you. You must know what it is about from the title, but there really is something there for everyone - and you can meet very interesting people as well. There is likely to be one near you...take the link for more details - it is a forum post, so it's not just copy.

http://tinyurl.com/yhz47v6

Shameless Plug: Yes, I am going to hammer this home too - get US$3 off your admission by entering the code "JonCurrent" when purchasing your tickets online. There, I am giving you three dollars to help you get to the show - go on, get there! http://tinyurl.com/y87on4h

YES! The New Norton 961 Commando SE Comes to USA

We actually get to see it first-hand in this country! The new Norton 961 Commando SE will make its premier at the Long Beach Cycle World International Motorcycle Show. Often, the US gets overlooked - or, at least the show circuit does - when new models premier in Europe, but not this time. Of course, the design is not too far from Kenny Dreer's hands and it once was right up here in Portland, Oregon. If you can get to the show, please do!

http://tinyurl.com/yhpk6on

Shootout: BMW K1300GT versus Kawasaki Concours 14

These big luxury tourers will take you on long-distance ride like no other - amazingly, these machines will also burn up any road the are on, but how do they compare to each other. If you are looking to buy one, these are the 2009 models - so you may be able to get a good deal as the 2010 models hit the showrooms at your dealer. Also, we do know that the Concours 14 has been updated for 2010 with some fancy and useful features. But, the comparison should at least give you an idea of how these machines compare when on the road!

http://tinyurl.com/yawsy48

First Ride: Rubén Xaus' BMW S1000RR Factory Superbike!

Yeah, so, the title is the same again - it fits! The team over at Cycle World managed to get their hands on Xaus' S1000RR World Superbike machine and took it out at Portimao, Portugal. Saying that Cernicky was impressed is a true understatement; when you have over 200 HP on tap and an open track with a motorcycle that handles as well as the S1000RR, you certainly cannot be unemotional. There is also video after the link, so check it out!

http://tinyurl.com/yjr9gln

Will Apple Be Able to Save the Motorcycle Magazines and Journalism, Itself?

If you read the linked article, you might find it possible that the iPhone and the applications sold for it just might have the ability to save modern journalism. But, what the author conveniently leaves out of the discussion is Apple's constant grab for profits; if they make the content too expensive, readers will not buy it. In order to keep themselves afloat, magazines would have to charge enough for their content - but, Apple will also want a slice of that pie - as they always do - and that just might push the price beyond what owners of the iPhone will pay - after all, the data service for the iPhone costs more than the phone itself when calculating annual costs...and, well, people do not have that much money these days. However, I hope that something can save journalism because I am tired of hearing what happened to Lindsay Lohan last night...

http://tinyurl.com/yhphlkj

Custom Sportbike Builder Nick Anglada Relocates to Daytona Beach

Yes, Daytona is seemingly the world of Harley-Davidsons and their clones. However, it is also the center of the motorcycle custom world and Anglada has found a home at Cycle World of Daytona. His company is known as Nick Anglada Originals and he has already been featured in several motorcycle magazines and shows. Look for even more interesting work coming out of his shop now that he has found a good home!

http://tinyurl.com/yg6qgz5

David Edwards Leaving Cycle World...

Cycle World is doing some re-structuring of the management at the magazine. Most of it is to line up various people with 'branding' initiatives. This will, "maximize brand equity, integration, and strategic and revenue opportunities." Some great public relations-speak, no? Some of the reorganization will simply be title changes and some new responsibilities. However, David Edwards will be leaving the magazine for somewhere else...the question of why or where is not answered in this press release, so we may have to wait to hear it directly from Mr. Edwards himself...

http://tinyurl.com/ydg48kz

Roland Sands Designs Another Honda for Ride for Kids Raffle

This is perhaps his best one yet; at least I think it is. American Honda and Advanstar Communications provided the motorcycle and the funding, but Sands provided the imagination. The bike is a true 'hooligan' and is based on the 2009 CBR1000RR. Sands created this street-fighter to honor what many consider the toughest fighters of all - the children who fight brain cancer every single day! Buy your raffle tickets at the International Motorcycle Shows (11 are to be held this season) or at http://www.rideforkids.org/.

http://tinyurl.com/yen4cga

Cycle World Apple iPhone App Now Available

If you read Cycle World as much as I do, and you have an iPhone, you will like this new application. It will have access to the best of their magazine and on-line articles and put them at your fingertips!

http://tinyurl.com/yaeqhrh

From Cycle World: Building the Web Surfer Special

OK, so this is short...I am a big fan of some custom motorcycles. It all depends on the uniqueness and the cleverness of the design; yes, I am very tired of the repli-chopper craze. But, this V-twin is actually a very nice looking bike, and it looks like it would be crazy fun to ride!

http://tinyurl.com/y8c49ff