Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Mid-America Auction, A Yamaha Wheel and Wrooom!

This is the first report I have come across from the Las Vegas Mid-America vintage motorcycle auction. Apparently, the number of bikes in the auction was less than previous events by about 100 consignments. However, there were plenty of great historic motorcycles to get your hands on if you had the money. About 20% were Triumphs, so the linked article focuses on this more than the others. Enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/yjcmlut

Finally, more news: http://tinyurl.com/yh6nnvh

And, about Day 3: http://tinyurl.com/yb4pzcn

Another design which did not make it into the previous post. This is something really out of this world! It is a one-wheel 'motorcycle' from the mind of Japanese designer Yuji Fujimura. He calls it the Yamaha Wheel Rider. Really, you owe yourself a look...

http://tinyurl.com/yc5pd68

And, finally for this post, we get the press release from Ducati about the Wrooom 2010. There are plenty of bits about the new GP10 bike, Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner. Since it is a PR, just have a read and learn what Ducati wants us to know about the huge (and very expensive) event held in the Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio.

http://tinyurl.com/yd2lsqb

Graves Yamaha Testing in Las Vegas

The team is there testing with the bikes they will use in the 2010 DMG/AMA Pro Racing season. Josh Hayes, Tommy Aquino and Josh Herrin were all out on the track on their respective race bikes. Noticeably absent was Ben Bostrom, who sources say may race with the Pat Clark Motorsports in 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/ygtp38g

The 1914 Jefferson V-Twin Motorcycle - To Be Auctioned

The Mid-America auction to be held in Las Vegas during 7 - 9 January 2010 will have many historic and rare motorcycles for sale. The 1914 Jefferson V-Twin will be one of those. It is the pinnacle of manufacture for the tiny American company as they stopped production in 1914. The machine has some advanced features for the time and was a worthy competitor in the industry...too bad that it had to end, but you may get to own one if you attend the auction!

http://tinyurl.com/yf5pw7d

AMA Hall of Fame Inductees Honored at Las Vegas Gala Event

Yes, we all knew it was coming and it is finally done - the 2009 American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame inductees: Robert Bates, Mona Ehnes, Bob Fox, Geoff Fox, Randy Hawkins, David Hough, Gary Mathers, Chuck Palmgren, and Gilles Vaillancourt. The ceremony was presided over by motorcyclist and actor Perry King. It was a very good night to be a motorcyclist.

http://tinyurl.com/ykxswwh

Very Rare Taglioni-Designed Ceccato 75 Wins AMA Concours

It was held in Las Vegas in conjunction with the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and this one-of-a-kind (now) Ceccato 75 race machine designed by Taglioni while studying for his master's thesis. Talk about bringing out the big guns - this thing would win almost any concours, anywhere. Look at the other entries and I think you will agree that there should have been more than one winner here.

http://tinyurl.com/yl4t75v

AMA Motorcyclists of the Year + Racing Athlete of the Year

Two big stories in one post (and a small one at bottom). First of all, the American Motorcyclist Association named kids who ride motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as Motorcyclists of the Year. This was due to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) working out the details on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which ultimately banned youth motorcycles and ATVs. CPSC has pushed enforcement on those vehicles out two years, but the state can decide to prosecute if they wish. It's still complex, but they have made progress and a bill should soon make it to President Obama's desk very soon!

http://tinyurl.com/yh8y28t

And, in the news from the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, my favorite Speedway star, Greg Hancock took the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year award! He is such a hard core racer, he really deserved it. There were several other awards presented, though, so please take the link - I simply cannot write everything here.

http://tinyurl.com/ygz27nv

In other news - not what I call a good story, so I just threw it here anyway. Dal Smilie, former chairman of the AMA's board of directors, has had his criminal trial postponed until 12 January 2010. Since he has paid back most (if not all) of the money to the AMA, this just seems ridiculous...but, that is only my opinion.

http://tinyurl.com/yg4db7e

Yet Another New Sponsor for AMA Banquet, And More...

So, BikeBandit.com will now be sponsoring the AMA Racing Championship Banquet (brought to you by KTM) in Las Vegas this weekend. We already have heard about the Fox and KTM deals, so this is another good sign for the US industry. This is a great show of support for the motorcycle community!

http://tinyurl.com/ylgk4m8

Laurette Nicoll, veteran motocross racer and television broadcaster, will be Master of Ceremonies for the AMA Racing Championship Banquet.

http://tinyurl.com/ylfjdbc

Tissot Will Give Chronograph to Both AMA Athletes of the Year

Tissot Watches are very well-known in the motorcycle racing industry. The Swiss manufacturer of timepieces has supported racing series the world over, including MotoGP for many events. They have also brought out the MotoGP watch and the Nicky Hayden edition as well - both very nice watches. Now, they will be helping to support the AMA Championship Banquet by giving both the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year and ATV Athlete of the Year a special watch honoring their award. Good going AMA! How many other sponsors can you wrangle...

http://tinyurl.com/y8msx6r

Fox Racing Supports AMA Hall of Fame Induction and Banquet

There is actually more to this than just what is in the title - Fox Racing will be sponsoring the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance and the Championship Banquet. All of this will go down in Las Vegas from 4 - 5 December 2009 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Very nice to see even more industry support for the sport we love.

http://tinyurl.com/ybgn2cr

Parts Unlimited Open House at Reno Warehouse for Dealers

The state-of-the-art Reno warehouse of Parts Unlimited was opened up for their dealers during 7 - 8 November 2009. Over 300 dealers visited the Reno location and they were greeted by 150 vendors who lined the aisles with their new products for 2010. They called it the "Parts Unlimited Holiday Showcase" and it was something to behold if you love looking and buying motorcycle parts and accessories...

http://tinyurl.com/yb7a96g

GNCC Racing Is Proud to Have Randy Hawkins Inducted Into AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Randy Hawkins is a legend in the Grand National Cross Country Series; he amassed seven AMA National Enduro Championships, 13 International Six Days Enduro gold medals and won 73 AMA Nationals. There are not many racers in his rarefied air. In December, Hawkins will be inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

http://tinyurl.com/yl9e3vt

AMA Announces Nominees for Awards Banquet Next Month

In Las Vegas, as if you don't know, the AMA will hold its annual Racing Championship Banquet (brought to you by KTM) on 4 December 2009. The people who may win awards at this show have now been announced to the public. This list is for 2009 and is only made up of Americans (thus the 'American' in the name). Get your tickets soon as it will soon be sold out. It really is worth it to get to meet some of the greatest personalities in motorcycle culture. Take the link to learn the names (Greg Hancock if up for Racing Athlete of the Year - good choice guys, but so few Americans get to see him race).

http://tinyurl.com/ycfxqpt

KTM North America to Sponsor AMA Racing Championship Banquet & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Well, the title just about says it all. However, it is rather nice of KTM North America to step up like this and sponsor this prestigious event in the motorcycling world; well, at least in the US. Basically, KTM wants to demonstrate their dedication to motorcycle racing - I would say they have already succeeded. This is so much more important due to the current economic situation.

http://tinyurl.com/ylj4asp

Las Vegas AMA EnduroCross Finale Preview

The stage is about set for the 21 November 2009 running of the Las Vegas finale for AMA EnduroCross. The Orleans Arena will see some of the greatest enduro riders from all over the world. The championship has already been decided, but next year's line-up is not done yet. So, 2009 EnduroCross Champion Taddy Blazusiak will still have to work hard in the last race. The sheer magnitude of talent on hand at the event will be worth the price of admission, not to mention the racing we expect to see!

http://tinyurl.com/ylzlsor

An Exercise in Logo Placement - JGR/Toyota Motocross Bike Concept

The 2009 YZR450F that this concept dirt bike is based on is hard to find underneath all of the changes - and the numerous Toyota logos. It figures that this comes from a NASCAR shop (the motocross team helped with the design) given the corporate logo coverage. Go ahead, try to count them all. Anyway, it is thoroughly lightened and very highly tuned and was displayed at the SEMA show in Las Vegas recently. Have a look, but don't expect to buy as it is a one-off.

http://tinyurl.com/yaal5en

Here it is! The Mavizen TTX02 Has Been Unveiled at SEMA

It turns out that the major manufacturer which Azhar Hussain is working with is KTM! I had thought it might be the Piaggio Group - one of their companies - but it turns out he went to Austria. If you look at the photo for even a short period of time, you will easily see this machine is derived from the KTM RC8. It looks sleek and sweet, especially for an electric motorcycle. I can imagine that the handling will also be on par with the RC8 since it uses the frame and suspension of that machine. However, there is much more to this machine than what is on the surface; it is a fully wi-fi enabled race machine which you can tune with a so-equipped laptop. And, the price is not that bad - £25,000 complete and race-ready! Only 50 will be built, so take the link and look into the future...

http://tinyurl.com/yz4m3aq

Even more details! http://tinyurl.com/yfu6gb5

Las Vegas SEMA Show to Have Roaring Toyz and AEM Performance Electronics

Roaring Toyz is well-known for their custom sportbike builds. AEM is better known for their sportbike Engine Management Systems, which Toyz uses on their builds. Both of them have teamed up to bring a nice selection of customized motorcycles to the annual SEMA show in Vegas, which runs from today to Friday 6 November 2009 - and, importantly, it is NOT open to the public, sorry...

http://tinyurl.com/ygttck9

Andrew Hines Takes Win at Las Vegas NHRA Nationals

Hector Arana just missed winning the Las Vegas event on Sunday. That's racing. Hines benefited from that and turned in an incredible run himself - a convincing victory. The attached link is full of hype about the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts - more than usual it seems - so you only have to read about half of the article to get your results...

http://tinyurl.com/yb5bgbd

NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Saturday Qualifying - Late

For some reason, I cannot find quickly updated NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle News until nearly 36 hours after the events - odd. Anyway, Hector Arana continued his late-season domination and grabbed the number 1 slot for the Sunday race. Hines was second and Nitro Fish rider Matt Smith pulled in at third. Once I get results from Sunday, I will post them here...

http://tinyurl.com/y9cag8c

Mat Smith report: http://tinyurl.com/ylprcjr

Hector Arana Tops Friday Qualifying for Pro Stock Motorcycle

The Ninth Annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals went well for series leader Arana and his Buell team. He was number 1 on the day with a 6.979 at 192.03 - rather good time, but H-D man Andrew Hines and Suzuki-mounted Matt Smith are right behind him. Today had two more qualifying rounds (will post when I receive) and the main will be tomorrow, Sunday, 1 November 2009. This is the 23rd of 24 rounds...

http://tinyurl.com/yzyfut6