More Afternoon Moto News - Ducati/Italwin & Daytona 200 History

We now hear that the Ducati e-bike, which is made by Italian bicycle manufacturer Italwin and simply branded Ducati, will soon be available for purchase. Worldwide distribution has begun for the City Pearl and the Cucciolo (named after the very first Ducati) and one should be at a bicycle or Ducati motorcycle dealer soon. To see more, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9pg58t

The Daytona 200 turns 69 tomorrow. That's a very long time to be in the motorcycle racing business these days - so many other historic races have disappeared. With that in mind, we should have a look back at the history of this American motorcycle road race and see why it is so important to us. So many great racers have pushed themselves to the limit at the event - both on the current track and on the old beachfront. And, many have lost their lives there too. Unfortunately, the linked piece is short, but at least you can have a quick read.

http://tinyurl.com/yej59wd

German "Uberbike" - eROCKIT - Electric Bicycle

Maybe it could be called a motorcycle, but it does have pedals. No matter which it qualifies as, it is a two-wheeled powered vehicle and that's good enough. The German machine combines aspects of bicycle and motorcycle and can achieve up to 50 mph (80 kph), maybe more. It must be pedaled to work correctly; the eROCKIT will not go anywhere if you are not putting in some energy. Very interesting fitness idea...

http://tinyurl.com/ybrpq4e

EICMA: Ducati and Italwin Produce Electric Bicycle

Ducati, who you should already know very well has teamed up with Italwin, an Italian electric bicycle manufacturer, to produce the new Cucciolo. Yes, that is the name of the first 'motorcycle' produced by Ducati, but here it is used for a more modern bicycle powered by an electronic battery pack residing behind the seat. There will be two models in total with the Cucciolo being for males and the Cucciolo City Pearl for females. So, not a motorcycle, but its pretty close...

http://tinyurl.com/yg7suoa

More Fantastic Press for Zero Motorcycles!

Yes, I happen to like their products a great deal, so I will push them here as I push all motorcycles. (It can be considered a drug, but this one is really good for you!) Zero Motorcycles has been in business since 2006 and has over 800 bikes on the road. It may not sound like much, but they only recently gained EPA approval. Their future is bright and electric! Go and take a test ride...soon! At least you should watch them on Sundance Channel TV this week...

http://tinyurl.com/yzgdrch

Racing Going Green? Yes, Everywhere...

The question is how far will it go? We already saw the introduction of electric motorcycles at the Isle of Man TT, and even the FIM is in talks to have an electric motorcycle race at select stops on the MotoGP calendar. Where is it heading? Will other racing series follow a similar path or their own? And, what technologies will enter production for the regular people of the world? Well, this article attempts to answer some of those questions and gives us an idea of where we are in the process of weaning ourselves from fossil fuels...

http://tinyurl.com/yfaz8b9

Another Electric Motorcycle Design - the Eboard Tracker

This one looks to be more of a design exercise as there seems to be little room for a decent-sized battery. But, it does have hub-motors and a very distinct bend towards an old-school board track motorcycle - it really looks good even versus the new E-Cub from Honda. It is obvious that designer Jean Francois Vicente does know what he is doing!

http://tinyurl.com/yb8mcn3

New Motobecane Motivo Electric Motorcycle Concept

Designer Miguel Angel Iranzo Sanchez of Spain has produced this rather interesting-looking electric bike concept. The attention to detail is quite extensive and the wood and leather bits make it look like a 'craft' motorcycle. It is only an idea at present, but he may end up producing it for the Spanish market and beyond!

http://tinyurl.com/ye8u6rq

Recent Bicycle Show Displays New Ducati / Italwin Electric Bicycles

Well, Ducati may not yet have an electric motorcycle - if they ever will is still a good question - but they do now have two models of electric bicycle made by Italwin. There is a men's and women's version of City Pearl, as the bike is called. It sure looks nice, if a little conservative; but, they did a very good job of hiding the motor.

http://tinyurl.com/yaocql2

New Battery Producer, Imara, Opening in California

This may seem like unimportant news, but it actually is rather meaningful to those of us interested in electric motorcycles. This new company will compete directly with A123Systems in the rechargeable and industrial battery market, which includes electric motor vehicles of all sorts...

http://tinyurl.com/kqa8yu

Electric Motorcycle Manufacturers Now on Equal Footing With Auto Companies

This is certainly an 'about time' moment! The US House of Representatives has voted to allow electric motorcycle producers access to the same government loans which auto manufacturers already have. Again, something which should have been done in the first place!

http://tinyurl.com/mntd44

Brammo Set to Release "Anti-Scooter" Within Next Two Months

On the heels of the Enertia electric motorcycle comes news from Oregon's Brammo will release the 'anti-scooter' within the next 60 days. The name has not actually been set, that name is what it is known as internally at the company. Have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/mjbsc3

Japanese Get Around Law By Using Electric Bicycles

There are some strict laws in Japan about almost every aspect of life. But, the one this story focuses on deals with motorcycles, scooters and mopeds. Japan will not allow but one passenger per and they will not allow motorcycles to park on sidewalks anymore. Enter a growing market for electric bicycles!

http://tinyurl.com/nll5tg