Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show Review & Michelin Power Pure

Here we have a report from the 2010 Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show which took place at and during Daytona Bike Week about two weeks ago. They were much more ambitious this year as they scheduled five shows over the week and added some new categories. Many of the bikes are not to everyone's taste - often overdone and way too much chrome - but the ideas presented were worth attending for everyone. For the details, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yl3bvx8

The new Michelin Power Pure motorcycle tire is being lauded as the lightest motorcycle tire ever produced. Of course, they are the ones making the claim, but they do back it up with evidence. We will also see for certain once they hit the streets - both figuratively and literally. They will use Michelin's Two-Compound Technology (2CT) and their Light Tire Technology (LTT) for better performance all around. Check out the press release for more information...

http://tinyurl.com/ykj8hax

More Afternoon Moto News - Livia Lancelot & Euro Gossip

Livia Lancelot is a female motocross rider who has reached the highest level of competition - the World Championship Female Motocross and has the 2009 title as well! From France, Lancelot has been racing since 1992 and has competed in the USA and Europe before entering the WMX series in 2005. She is worth a look if you are trying to find the leaders of today's women racers...or just an awesome motorcycle rider!

http://tinyurl.com/ycptdqp

Yep, we have another 'Euro Gossip' column from our friends at MotorcycleUSA. There is some wrapping up of other stories we have seen floating around in the ether(net) and there are some new stories as well. Most of the information you will probably already know - if you have been paying attention to this blog. So, just take the link and scan around to find the information you want to read.

http://tinyurl.com/y88w5qj

Sunday Morning Moto News - Early Daytona Returns & WSBK Results from Phillip Island

Bike Week has kicked off in Daytona, Florida, this weekend and the first results have come back from the Michelin Team Challenge. It seems that an Australian rider, Aussie Dave Anthony, brought home first place in the GTO class with his Suzuki GSX-R1000 (I think). For the results of the GTU and GT Lites class, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb2km4h

That's right, the World Superbike Championship round at Phillip Island is over, and we have several posts which detail the events in Australia and tell us who ended up where when the checkered flag was dropped at the end of both races. In race one, the finish was Haslam, Fabrizio and Haga; in race two, it was Checa, Haslam and then Fabrizio. As you can see, Ducati and Suzuki had great weekends. Aprilia had a good outing, but not a perfect race. For all the details, please take the links below.

Race 1: http://tinyurl.com/yd4mxod

Race 2: http://tinyurl.com/y9ogyce

Both Races: http://tinyurl.com/ycp6xkr

Both Races: http://tinyurl.com/y8m4jov

Aprilia's Races: http://tinyurl.com/yaer9tj

Tuesday Afternoon Moto Design News - Custom Builds, New Wheels and More

A well-to-do kid helps out his family business, moves to a new town and then sets about pursuing his dream. It does help that he had the backing of his parents, but his ideas are good. Tony Johns opened Motorcycles of Bend in 2006. He lets customers purchase their bikes in parts and then assembles them in his shop. It is the only shop of its kind in the Oregon city of Bend. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/yehhb82

Along the same lines, but with a more environmental bent, is a new design from Lawless Motorcycles. It is a hybrid motorcycle which allows the rider to switch from full electric to gas-power as needed or wanted. This is the bike which Orange County Choppers was building with help from Schneider Electric. It will be revealed on national television later this week. For more information, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ye34vuj

http://tinyurl.com/yk322fb

Next on this list is another air-powered motorcycle design. This one is from Matthew Perez, a Mechanical Operations Technician for the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and he calls it the AirHead. It will do about 20 miles and the air is contained in four standard SCUBA tanks.

http://tinyurl.com/yzuogxd

Now there is yet another new creation from the tire geniuses at Michelin. They have two versions called the Active Wheel and Motor Wheel. The Motor Wheel contains one motor which is used for propulsion, and the Active Wheel has two motors, one for propulsion and one for suspension. So far, both Peugeot and Renault are testing with it currently. Of course, the interesting aspect of this to us is the motorcycle designed by Keegan McClain of Lafayette, LA. Take a look to see the future of transport.

http://tinyurl.com/yz9equ4

Rather Decent Tire Test - The 2009 DOT Race Motorcycle Tire Shootout

Over at Motorcycle USA (the online 'zine is really proud of their Executive Editor), they took several makes and models of DOT race rubber and pitted them against each other in a pure test of performance. Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli and Avon were all involved in the testing. To see what they thought - and it is a long, detailed, well-documented article - take the link. Interesting results...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ze88a

Michelin Crowns Champion Riders on Final Day at Barber Motorsports Park

Michelin also handed out some US$87,500 to the racers - whom use their rubber on their race machines - who were invited to participate. The weather at Barber was not exactly decent racing weather, but the weekend still managed to impress spectators and to settle all nine Grand Championships...

http://tinyurl.com/ydmyzpw

Report from Michelin’s U.S. Motorcycle Championship at Barber Motorsports Park

The invitation-only racing event saw some very interesting racing among the US racers who used Michelin tires during the year. Robert Jensen was the real star of the Saturday racing by winning the Supersport Pro and Superstock Pro Races. He wasn't the only standout, though, as Matt Lynn challenged Jensen and others throughout the racing. Take a read and enjoy...

http://tinyurl.com/y96raz9

First Ever Michelin U.S. Motorcycle Championship to be Held at Barber

Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama will host the invitation-only Michelin event during 3 -4 October - this coming weekend! Over US$87,000 is in the purse for the various championships up for grabs to racers who were invited to attend. Spectators, of course, are very welcome to come and experience the event first-hand! Kevin Schwantz will be there too!

http://tinyurl.com/y9ofagl