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

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Dainese Thorax & Suzuki Sportbikes

Dainese has just released another interesting piece of equipment in their 2010 line. Actually, it may have been looked over in their big press event at their San Francisco D-Store - there were so many other colorful bits and bobs, honestly. The Dainese Thorax Pro Ladies Chest Protector is designed to protect a woman's important chest parts (parts everyone wants to protect) in case of crash. This particular model is made mainly for track use - as it may not be comfortable for long street rides - but it is an example of how Dainese is becoming more and more of a safety as well as design oriented motorcycle (and other sports) apparel producer.

http://tinyurl.com/yfbf4rw

It turns out that the rumors are true - Suzuki will not be importing any 2010 sportbikes to the US. Some other models are included in this, but most are street-oriented. Of course we have all heard of the limited editions in other parts of the world - but Suzuki bikes are selling there, so it makes some sense. It is an unfortunate situation brought about by the poor economy. Let's all hope that some deals come around and they sell the remaining the 2009 models. It is sad that we will not get any special editions on our shores...

http://tinyurl.com/y8v7tk9

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Travis Pastrana + AGV, AMA Vintage Days & Trials Schedule

Travis Pastrana is just the latest addition to the AGV helmet sponsorship program. They already have the two best racers in motorcycle racing history - Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini - and now they have another very successful rider in Pastrana. Now that Dainese owns AGV, it will probably only get better...

http://tinyurl.com/yck729e

The AMA is looking for some good vintage project bikes as a part of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this 9 - 11 July 2010. It doesn't matter if you are complete or not, and the destination can be any one you for which you are looking. Just get in contact with the AMA as soon as you can.

http://tinyurl.com/yeq5uba

The AMA released, a few days ago, the schedule for the AMA Racing/NATC Observed Trials National Championship Series, 2010 edition. For the information you seek, take the link. I can tell you that the season starts on 1 - 2 May 2010 in Oklahoma.

http://tinyurl.com/y9frh8k

More Afternoon Moto News - Dainese, Pro Italia & 2010 Versys

Dainese has had a release event for their 2010 line-up of clothing and AGV helmets. The US event was held at the Dainese D-Store in Costa Mesa, California. Though there is little after the link, at least you get an introduction to their new products.

http://tinyurl.com/yaw2rj6

Specific to the D-Air, which was also released: http://tinyurl.com/ybm8a2b

It is on the home page now, but I am not sure for how long. Pro Italia, down in Los Angeles, will be hosting a fund-raiser for Haiti relief. It is a bike wash, a Q&A with local motorcycle police officer John Morena, and a talk with Bill Oberman about customizing your motorcycle. The seminars happen this Sunday (31 January 2010) at 13:00 at their Los Angeles shop. The bike wash will actually be held for the next three weekends and will benefit the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation.

http://www.proitalia.com/

And, a nice report on the 2010 Kawasaki Versys comes to us courtesy of MCN (UK). It is simply an early report from the test taking place in Sardinia - yes, Sardinia. Have a read. It's short but very informative.

http://tinyurl.com/yl7xvzj

And, More Morning Moto News - Dainese, Fulmer & NZ Superbike

Dainese products are no longer 'Made in Italy'. They are going to shut down their factory in Molvena, Italy, and move all mass-production to Tunisia, where they already have a factory. It is assumed that they are doing this to cut costs in light of the sour economy, and that makes sense. However, they will continue to employ some workers to continue to create motorcycle racing leathers for the riders they support in the large racing series of the world. Well, not even an Italian company will get you Italian made products these days...

http://tinyurl.com/ylz6jhc

Fulmer Helmets recently acquired motorcycle apparel manufacturer Texport (oddly based in MA, not TX), and now the tow companies are merging their assets. Much of the work will be to get the right people into the right positions at the company to get their businesses aligned and working fluidly together. This should help their dealers and customers alike. Only time will tell...

http://tinyurl.com/y8sdypz

A press release from the New Zealand Superbike Championship is getting us all worked up over the next round of the series in Invercargill. They, of course, highlight the Bugden/Stroud competition from last weekends events and tell us what we may expect in the coming rounds of the series. You will also see the current standings in each individual class.

http://tinyurl.com/y8uy5e3

Great work-up on the series: http://tinyurl.com/ycwgnes

Dainese Happy with Lorenzo's D-Air System Activation at Valencia

According to the data recorded when Jorge Lorenzo had a 'moment' on his Yamaha YZR-M1, the new Dainese D-Air System worked perfectly. It inflated and then deflated quickly enough to allow Lorenzo to control his race bike just fine - no interference at all. This proves to the researchers that the D-Air System will not adversely affect a rider when on a motorcycle - even in a MotoGP race. Of course, Lorenzo is not an ordinary rider by any means...

http://tinyurl.com/ylbkpp5

Motorcycle-Related Industry Rumors From Around the World

Though, again, this is definitely a Euro-centric resource, they also cover Asia. Many of the old rumors are now confirmed - and have been posted here - and some are new. Brough Superior is starting up in Austria, believe it or not. And, Blata is building bikes with many well-known European suppliers' parts...what will happen next?



http://tinyurl.com/pnb3l4

AGV and Dainese Present 2009 Italian Legendary Tour Blog

Well, I didn't win the Dainese and AGV contest to join this tour, but then I did not have any money to buy anything as was required. That's life, I suppose...However, the 18 people who did when have had a blog set up for them to record their thoughts, feelings and experiences while touring with Ago, Marco Lucchinelli and Max Biaggi. What an opportunity!

http://tinyurl.com/nhopq4