Rumor: Ducati and Piaggio May Merge!

With the economy still in the toilet, Ducati and Piaggio both are still feeling the sting of lower sales of both bikes and licensed accessories - few people have enough money to buy anything. Add that to the rumors of a possible sale of the Piaggio Group of motorcycle and scooter manufacturers and you get this rumor: Ducati and Piaggio to merge. It is nowhere near confirmed, but it could mark a point where the Italian motorcycle industry can grow and may actually be able to compete with the Japanese (and British and American) on their terms. So, stay tuned and we will see if this comes to fruition or is forgotten by history.

http://tinyurl.com/ylaa5lv

http://tinyurl.com/yfc6oho

Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Elias Fastest Again & Derbi GPR125

Toni Elias left the Moto2 test, which ended on Monday, as the fastest rider on the circuit again! Wet weather really slowed things down on the first and last days of the test, so Sunday's times were the fastest. Elias' Gresini Racing Moriwaki finished up third overall at the previous test, so it does seem that they found more power or handling somewhere! Most of the other riders at the top were also on top at the last test...however, some have improved greatly. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhc8e4b

Derbi, builder of some of the most exciting small-displacement motorcycles on the road (though, mostly in Europe), has announced the new high-tech GPR 125 four-stroke machine. It is a very well designed and built motorcycle which was developed by Derbi and Piaggio. If you look closely at this bike, you will see some of the most innovative ideas ever executed for a motorcycle of this size. It is worth a look...and it would be a very cool machine to own just for fun!

http://tinyurl.com/yhkzjqu

Friday Afternoon Moto News - H-D Loss, Erik Buell & Derbi

Harley-Davidson posted their first quarterly loss in 16 years at the end of 2009. It is a sad representation of what this economy is doing to the industry. To help fight this, they have created another entry-market motorcycle, the Forty-Eight, which they hope will bring in some new customers. It is unlikely to make an impact like they want, but they will certainly sell some of them. Good Luck H-D!

http://tinyurl.com/yby5d2t

Erik Buell Racing has signed on with think3’s ThinkDesign (CAD) and ThinkPLM (PDM) to help optimize their product development. This comes to us via a press release from the Erik Buell Racing company and think3. For more details, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yd9bd69

Derbi, with help from Sevcon, have created their own electric motorcycle, the GPR EV. They say that it is far beyond what is currently being produced by other electric motorcycle manufacturers due to its fully-integrated power system. No word on production or racing for this machine, just the short article and the photo.

http://tinyurl.com/yeg5ask

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

More Wednesday Moto News from Just About Everywhere

This one will be at least two parts as I am sure to run out of room here...

The MCN Motorcycle Show in London is adding even more manufacturers to the list of attendees. There is one story here, but there are many others if you look. As more come in, I will update the list of links.

Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Derbi: http://tinyurl.com/y9gk6gm

This is surely a rare motorcycle! The Lloyd Brothers-prepared Aprilia RSV Mille Flat Track Race Bike is for sale on eBay in California. This is the same machine which Larry Pegram made the main at the historic Springfield Mile. The machine, so far, is going for less than US$3K, believe it or not. It's funny, but when I first saw this machine a while back, I wanted it! Too bad I cannot afford it now...

http://tinyurl.com/ydf8yf5

We also have some good news, we all hope! The Wheatcroft family, who are the owners of Donington Park, have said that they will re-open the circuit as soon as possible. That is wonderful news as this historic track should not be relegated to the dustbin of history.

http://tinyurl.com/y9v7ajd

Naza Group to Become Sole Malaysian Importer for Piaggio

Naza Group is a well-established motorcycle company in Malaysia - and, Piaggio Group is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe. So, this is a big deal for the Asian nation. They will have full access to Piaggio's entire line of motorcycles: Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Derbi and Vespa.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzp34a

Rain Hampers Ducati Testing for Hector Barbera

The testing for Barbera at the Jerez circuit in Spain started out very wet. This limited time on the track just a bit, but Barbera was also spied testing on the 2010 Desmosedici, rather than the GP9 version. He was joined by Guareschi and Franco Battaini at the private test. Marc Marquez was also there testing his new Ajo Derbi motorcycle.

http://tinyurl.com/yjasrsb

MotoGP: 2009 Valencia 125GP Results

Well, the 2009 champion, Julian Simon, took victory in front of his home crowd today at Valencia. His teammate - and up and coming racer - Bradley Smith pulled in just two-tenths of a second behind Simon, with Pol Espargaro rounding out the podium. We have certainly seen where the sport may go next year with the late charges of Smith and Espargaro - you won't want to miss 2010!

http://tinyurl.com/yhmxege

http://tinyurl.com/yfscp7s

Britain Danny Webb just can't catch break - or can he? He further damaged his feet during practice at Valencia and could not take part in the race today: http://tinyurl.com/yg2486f

MotoGP Results: 125 World Championship at Sepang in Malaysia

The 125c.c. Champion has already been crowned, and it is the Aspar Aprilia Ace Julian Simon. He showed just how much he deserves the honor by winning his race at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix today. He fought an almost race-long battle with his teammate Bradley Smith. Pol Espargaro rounded out the podium...

http://tinyurl.com/ygqsszf

http://tinyurl.com/yj6wd6n

Overall standings after Sepang: http://tinyurl.com/yjot8h2

Piaggio Group Will Sell Scooters in India, Again

Piaggio Group pulled out of selling scooter in India some time ago; now, they only sell light commercial vehicles. Starting in March of next year, though, Indian customers will be able to buy their favorite Vespa scooters. Shortly after that, they will be selling Gilera, Aprilia and Derbi motorcycles as well! Finally!

http://tinyurl.com/yzfunru

Portuguese Grand Prix 125 Race Results

If you have not seen it and you plan to, please ignore this post. Julian Simon may have started on pole, but he ended up crashing and handing the lead and the win to Pol Espargaro. Simon missed his chance to claim the title, but he still scored valuable points by finishing 12th - his crash happened while he was leading the race by a massive 6 seconds!

http://tinyurl.com/ya8ehzc

Basic results: http://tinyurl.com/ybgu5wh