Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - SWIGS.COM Pro Racing & Ilmor Viper 152

SWIGS.COM Pro Racing's Chip Yates has been working hard on his TTXGP project machine - his team has been working just as hard and they have even signed on some more sponsors. The team is on track to meet their performance goals; it looks like they may be able to produce an electric racing motorcycle which will lap as quickly as a Suzuki GSX-R600. The ePower, TT Zero and TTXGP confusion is not helping, though. Good interview...

http://tinyurl.com/yfdmfbc

The Ilmor and Viper Motorcycles joint venture has been merrily plugging along and they have finally released some information on their 152-cubic inch V-twin engine - it has been built and is running just fine! That is good news for the group as they prepare to launch the new custom cruiser engine on the worldwide market. They have even been able to hook it up to a dyno, but have not released any number yet. The first machine to sport the Viper Motorcycles-Ilmor V-Twin will be the Diamondback Super Cruiser, which is scheduled to be sold in the second half of 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yhzn9lw

More Afternoon Moto News - Triumph Colors, Dallas Chopper Show and the Oak Tree Tavern at VIR

Triumph is introducing some new paint schemes on their 2010 models. The newest color is the very cool Scorched Yellow, which will be available on the Street Triple. It's not the biggest news, but it is nice to know.

http://tinyurl.com/y8w3swm

Viper Motorcycles is now a major sponsor for the Rick Fairless Strokers Dallas Bike Show and Parts Expo in Texas and running in April of this year (no dates provided in the press release). It will be another repli-chopper type show with miles of chrome and very stretched out forms and bars, but you may find it interesting if yo are, in fact, into those sorts of motorcycles. Check out the release after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhsx9jk

The Oak Tree Tavern, at Virginia's Virginia International Raceway, will be holding its re-Grand Opening on 29 January 2010. The restaurant and bar has new management and a completely new menu. It will be open as a regular establishment and is family-friendly. If you get near VIR, you now have a historic place to eat your meals and drink your pleasure.

http://tinyurl.com/yhsqgmg

Let's Talk Moto Financial News - Several Stories Here

There are several stories on the financial health of the motorcycle industry, but I have yet to post many of them as they are usually quite dry and I am not sure anyone wants to read them. However, it is a good idea to keep track of the way the motorcycle industry is going - or has been in the recent past.

Here is a story about Triumph's recent sales in the United Kingdom. Despite the economy being in terrible shape, Triumph had a banner year in 2009. They broke their own record for sales in their home nation!

http://tinyurl.com/yblhmge

Next, a US custom builder is eyeing some growth in 2010. Viper Motorcycles has confirmed their goals for this year to their shareholders and you can read it too.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ejxsv

And, some more reports from Triumph, BMW and Ducati in the US. It seems that Triumph did well in the States as well, but BMW and Ducati also have weathered the recession much better than expected.

http://tinyurl.com/y9qcf43

Even more on BMW: http://tinyurl.com/yzhya43

From Honda in Australia - Still number one in sales even with the recession...

http://tinyurl.com/yfkza6x

Viper Motorcycle Company Releases 2010 Diamondback

A joint venture with Ilmor Engineering, the 2010 Viper Diamondback 152 has been officially released. It is powered by a proprietary 152 cubic inch engine, but not much was available about the machine itself. Availability of the Diamondback will be very limited at first as both Viper and Ilmor will continue their JV and prepare for a full-scale launch. To see where you may see the new machine, take the link and there is a list of dealers around the US who will possess one very soon...

http://tinyurl.com/ydd9fyw

Viper Motorcycle Company Enters Joint Venture with Ilmor

The two have been working on a 152 cubic-inch V-twin engine for the last six months or so. They will team up to help produce the engine in Plymouth, Michigan, and will work together on marketing the beast. It is expected to be released for sale in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/ybad8cp