MotoGP Japan Grand Prix at Motegi is POSTPONED

Dorna and the FIM announced last night that the Motegi round of the 2010 MotoGP Championship - the Japanese Grand Prix - has been postponed due to the ash covering the European airspace. The race weekend was to be 23 - 25 April 2010, but it will held 1 - 3 October instead. The large Icelandic eruption has caused most flights to be cancelled in Europe for safety reasons and it has now pushed the MotoGP management to push the Japan Grand Prix back to later in the year when the teams will be on a fly-away trip to Malaysia and Australia. Be glad you are not in F1, though, as they seem to be trapped in China for the time being - at least the MotoGP teams are close to home in Europe!

http://tinyurl.com/y3ml538

Just Lovely! Ducati Teams with Edelweiss - Ducati Travel Experience World

The Ducati Travel Experience World (DTEW) is premiering at just the right time. The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 is debuting to the world all over and Ducati decided to hook up with Edelweiss Bike Travel to create a special tour series using that lovely machine (I hate to admit it, but I desire one myself...). There are four tours which cover parts of Africa, Australia, Europe and the Western USA. Just take the link as you do owe it to yourself to see how the other half lives...it would be sweet if I could sell my kidneys!

http://tinyurl.com/yjgzbtd

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

PR: MV Agusta on Tour - Book Your Turn Now!

MV ON TOUR 2010

Varese, February 15th, 2010 – After the success of Brutale on Tour 2009, we introduce MV on Tour, a travelling demonstration which will lead the brand new Brutale motorcycles to visit the best European cities and the F4 motorcycles on the best circuits.

From February to July thousands of Km will be covered to visit the best European cities and some of the worship places for motorcyclists. A non-stop tour of Europe to let the MV enthusiasts “live” a unique and unrepeatable experience: try the new MV Agusta generation. All this is MV on Tour 2010, the event that will start on February 18th next in the Dutch city of Utrecht.

Brutale on Tour will have as leaders the brand new Brutale 990R and 1090RR motorcycles which will be tried on road under the guidance of skilled foreriders. In this way all motorcyclists will be able to be tuned with the power of the new 4-cylinder MV engines from 998cc to 1078cc, and “have a proof” of the exceptional gifts of the incredible chassis and the new traction control adjustable on 8 levels.

Madrid, Rome, Florence, Nürburgring, Paris are only some of the cities that will be visited by Brutale on Tour and on July 11th it will end at Cascina Costa on the MV Agusta Revival, “holy” event for all motorcycle enthusiasts who have built the story of motorcycling… and who will carry on building it.

Instead F4 on Tour will offer the chance to all enthusiasts of trying the exceptional F4 on circuit. The most beautiful and fastest motorcycle in the world will be tested on some of the best and compelling circuits, some of them being stages of meetings of the MotoGP and Superbike world races, such as Misano, Hockenheim, Vallelunga and the new circuit of Motorland in Spain.

Participating is easy, it is enough to contact the organizing secretariat on the following numbers: phone. +39.011.889308 – fax +39.011.8173487 or via e-mail on the following addresses: brutaleontour@mvagusta.it – f4ontour@mvagusta.it

Calendar of the events:

18th-21st February Utrecth - Brutale on tour
25th February Rockingham - F4 on tour
26th e 28th February Rockingham - Brutale on tour
6th e 7th March Paris - Brutale on tour
13th and 14th March Villefranche Sur Saône - Brutale on tour
17th March Le Luc - F4 on tour
20th and 21st March Madrid - Brutale on tour
26th March Misano - F4 on tour + Brutale on tour
1st April Franciacorta - F4 on tour + brutale on tour
9th April Racalmuto - F4 on tour
10th and 11th April Catania - Brutale on tour
17th and 18th April Naples - Brutale on tour
24th and 25th April Rome - Brutale on tour
27th April Vallelunga - F4 on tour
1st and 2nd May Florence - Brutale on tour
8th and 9th May Bologna - Brutale on tour
14th May Adria - F4 on tour + Brutale on tour
18th May Hockenheim - F4 on tour
22nd and 23rd May Varese - Brutale on tour
23rd May Motorland (Alcañiz) - F4 on tour
29th and 30th May Nürburgring - Brutale on tour
5th and 6th June Zurich - Brutale on tour
12th and 13th June Milan - Brutale on Tour
11th July Cascina Costa (VA) - Brutale on tour to coincide with MV Agusta Revival

More Morning Moto News - World Supermoto DVD, EU Emissions & Demographics

The FIM Supermoto World Championship Review DVD is now available for purchase. This DVD covers the entire 2009 season and is full of commentary, great shots, and interviews with some of the sport's top riders. For more information, as well as how you can buy it for yourself or someone you care about, can be found after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8dkovg

The European Union is working to crack down on motorcycle emissions now. They want to put strict requirements on how much CO2 our two-wheeled machines can emit. It's not something which should surprise anyone, and the manufacturers have been waiting for something like this to come down. The real questions, though, are what standards will be set, and how much will it cost to meet those goals.

http://tinyurl.com/yajrb3a

The demographic of the motorcycle buyer is changing - and, if you were unaware of this, you have been living in a cave. This article, though, does explain that a younger and much more female audience is looking at bikes these days. We did know that, but you would do yourself no harm by taking the link and learning a little more.

http://tinyurl.com/ycoo2xz

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

BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Announces Superbike Superstakes

The sweepstakes will begin on 1 February 2010, and it is only open to BMW MOA members. However, once you hear about the prizes, though, you will want to join! They will be giving away, as grand prize, a 2010 BMW S1000RR and a lot more - VIP ticket package to four World Superbike events, autograph sessions, pit access to the BMW WSBK pit area, and even more. Second prize is like most grand prizes - an all-expenses paid motorcycle tour through Europe! Really, you do not want to miss this...

http://tinyurl.com/ydj6en6

China Is Part of 2010 Honda VFR1200F Sales Plan

It's true, Honda will be selling the 2010 Honda VFR1200F in China as soon as possible. The first target is, of course, Europe (the price will be an issue) and the US, but China is firmly on that list. Until recently, only motorcycles with smaller displacements were allowed in Chinese cities, so this is a big deal for them and the motorcycle riders of China.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ttcxz

Troy Corser Helps Launch BMW S1000RR

Corser traveled around Europe - and he went all over the place! He was doing this for the past two weeks in order to help BMW launch the S1000RR in the various countries he visited. It was a hectic time for him, but we all know that he found a way to make if interesting...

http://tinyurl.com/ybot5p3

Honda Europe Announces Honda Racing Xtreme Academy

It could be a step on the way to riding in Honda Racing’s World Championship Xtreme programme in MX1, MX2, Enduro
and even the Dakar Rally. An amazing opportunity for any young European. Go to your local Honda dealer - as championships will be national - or head over the Honda Europe' s racing website - after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yfm3ov2

Read This! The Ins and Outs of the Motorcycle Industry - Mostly Europe

The author calls it Euro Gossip, but he does not limit himself there. This is a very good edition and you should NOT miss it. The really cool helmet tech is enough to keep you interested - both of which I have reported here before. Look deeply into the ThermaHelm and the cool helmet covering from Lazer in Belgium - it could be a very important safety feature on ALL helmets someday. Don't miss Rieju's new model. Just read this!

http://tinyurl.com/ykszdms

Agreed: Yamaha XT660Z Tenere Imported to US, Please!

Too bad that it is not here already. I can imagine it would give the KLR650 some tough competition, but it might not as this segment is growing year after year in the US and somehow the manufacturers are barely noticing it - except in Europe! Hey, we Americans will soon be working again and we will want dual-sport motorcycles! Import this bike now Yamaha!

http://tinyurl.com/ydzbgp8

So Far, The Future Looks Very Bright for Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

Of course, the North American version was shuttered after only one year, but the European series is strong and continuing to build. There will be ten races this year - an increase over 2009. Also, TV viewership is on the rise for this event and the fan base is ever expanding. I have to admit that it is some very close racing and it is really worth paying attention to as someday a few of these racers will become pros!

http://tinyurl.com/yhyagtz

Interwetten Devotes Their Website to Their MotoGP Sponsorship

The online betting site, Interwetten, has now updated their website to reflect their new MotoGP sponsorship of Hiroshi Aoyama on a Honda. They have supported a rider in both the 125c.c. and 250c.c. class previously. The interesting part of this news is that the website is now wrapped around their new motorcycle racing team, and that shows just how dedicated they are to racing in the World Championship.

http://tinyurl.com/yfu6seu

First Look: 2010 Honda CBF1000

This great motorcycle from Honda is a winner in Europe, but it is not seen in many other areas of the world. The US certainly does not get any of them, and that is a shame. Of course, the US doesn't like 'naked' sportbikes as much as other nations, so Honda knows that not many of them will sell here. As to the CBF1000 itself, it possesses the engine from the CBR1000RR, but tuned for torque and low-to-mid range power delivery. It is a sport machine built for people in the real world who want to ride and ride and ride...

http://tinyurl.com/ylqllxz

This bike will ONLY be sold in Europe as the exchange rate between Euro and Pound is so twisted now that the bike would cost more than the U.K. CBF1000 equipped with ABS by some £1000 - and that is just not going to sell bikes. However, I must make special mention of those integrated front turn signals - don't those look so much better? Kawasaki does this on some models and it works great; I wish others would follow this direction.

http://tinyurl.com/yk5fjdp

Riding Impression: 2009 Honda CB1300A

So, you will not see many - if any - Honda CB1300 machines in the US as they are only sold in Europe (as far as I can find), but it still is one incredible 'standard' motorcycle. It has an upright riding position and hearkens back to the legendary CB1100R. The CB1300 gets its 1284c.c. engine from another Honda sold mostly in Japan called the Honda X4. You can sure take a trip down memory lane in this beast, but you will also be able to run with the current line-up just as easily...

http://tinyurl.com/ybzphs8

BMW HP2 Sport Motorsport for 2010

It will only be for sale in Europe - at least as far as has been announced - and there will only be 400 of them made, but BMW's HP2 Sport Motorsport limited edition will be on sale in 2010 for European buyers. They have changed the paint and upped the engine output to 133 HP and only weighs 178 Kg dry (392lb.). If you can get your hands on one, it would certainly be worth a ride at minimum...

http://tinyurl.com/ykttzrg

Read This! Euro Gossip November is Full of Information!

The industry is full of rumor and speculation - what will happen to MV Agusta - who will purchase the company? (Wish I could!) What about EICMA - will Honda and Yamaha exhibit there? (No, they won't) MZ of Germany has been purchased, but can the new owners get the money they need? And, there is Ducati, on the outside, everything looks fine, but the workers are taking 20% less salary - how will that work out? From France, we know that Voxan is soon to be gone, or are they? Really, if you do not take a look at the linked article, you are bound to miss out on something important, so head on over!

http://tinyurl.com/yzdz4eg

P.S. Don't forget that 'Euro Gossip' also includes Asia.

Will Honda Actually Produce the CB1100 Concept Motorcycle? Maybe!

The designer of the CB1100 and CB1100R (who also works on the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR), Hirofumi Fukanaga, is hopeful that he can convince Honda management to produce the motorcycle. It is in almost finished form as it is and has no technology which Honda does not already posses. The real question comes when asking if it will sell well (in Europe: YES; in the USA: Probably Not) enough for Honda to invest the money in it. Personally, I am very hopeful that they will produce the 'R' version of this machine as it is just sweet to look at. I guess we will have to wait - as usual - until something leaks out and we hear about it...

http://tinyurl.com/ygywxke

First Look: CR&S Duu Cruiser in the Open

It is supposed - again - to be debuted at the EICMA Milan show, but CR&S has already released several photos and only a tiny amount of information about the new Duu. It will have a S&S sourced 1,916cc V-twin motor, some rather interesting styling - only an Italian company could create this motorcycle - and an estimated 2011 release date. They expect to only sell a few, but the price is not unreasonable at around €20,000. Just have a look and see whether it will ever grace your garage with its presence...

http://tinyurl.com/yzec9vv

http://tinyurl.com/ybs9oml