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They call themselves "Two Moto Kiwis" and they are on an 'epic mission' from Prudhoe Bay in the great US state of Alaska all the way to the southern-most point of South America at Ushuaia, Argentina. The pair on this incredible motorcycle trip are Andi and Ellen Delis (44 and 43 years of age, respectively) and they are riding the entire route on two Suzuki DR650's with a wide assortment of adventure gear bolted on. Now that they have arrived in Alaska - about a week ago now - they will be on to build up their mounts for the trip; the bikes are new and showroom fresh, so they must be outfitted expressly for this trip. Next, it's a trip around Alaska and then a drive to make the Laguna Seca round of the 2012 MotoGP Championship. Check their site for the latest and see if you might be able to catch them when they come through your town!
A Pair from New Zealand Arrive in Alaska
Shell Advance 7 Riding Wonders FINALLY!
This was a story which I wanted to write last year, but the contest seemed to only be focused on central Asia and parts of Europe, so it did not match the audience I had at the time. Searching did not even turn up an entry link on the Shell Advance USA website. I have never ridden in India, but the contest certainly seemed to turn up a number of Indian roads - and the winning route is located there - but there are many who have been and their stories make this seem a little more possible. And, after all, it was an Italian who won the grand prize of the trip there and two Ducati motorcycles on which to experience it!
I still want to ride this road no matter how the decision was made:
http://tinyurl.com/ca5lquz
More News from JC Current...Please CLICK!
There has been an enormous amount of news coming from the world of two wheels lately. It is the end of the racing season, the musical chairs that are professional racing, the beginning of the 2011 models, new gear and accessories - and plenty of shows which bring much of this together in one place. EICMA is running in Milan, Ducati has released their 'fat-boy' Diavel, MV Agusta has shown their new F3 triple, Triumph's new Tiger 800XC and Daytona 675R, Yamaha's Super Tenere, and many more.
I have some stories here which may have slipped past you, or you may simply want to know more. Some are a bit old, but they are still current (pun intended)...please take a look.
2011 Master of the Mountains Schedule
The Middle Kindom Ride - China on BMWs
The New Brammo Enertia Plus
The 2010 Africa Concours d'Elegance in Kenya
The All-New Honda CBR250R Coming to US
The Renard Grand Tourer - Estonian Beauty
Honda's Moto3 Machine - NRS250
BMW R1200GS Triple Black
Chicago's Isle of Man
Gilera GP800 - World's Most Powerful Scooter
dediKato Auction (Ends 8 November 2010)
Nick Nichols Has Shed This Mortal Coil
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show and Bonhams Auction
Suzuki GZ250 Price Dropped $1000!
Guy Martin to Ride Relentless by TAS Suzuki at 2011 Isle of Man TT
Scott Redding to Ride Suter/BMW MotoGP Machine
2011 FIM Speedway GP and Speedway Cup Schedule
Team Canada Heading to Latin American Championships
AMA Crowns Hillclimb Champions
Well, there are a few more, but that will do for this post. I am also working at the Portland Examiner as well and have at least one published article there...once I get that link, I will post it here too...Until then, please take the above links - every click helps!
BMW Canada Summerfest 2010
BMW will again bring the Canadian (and other) riding public the Summerfest event - for the fourth time - which will be held at Mosport International Raceway from 9 - 11 July 2010. As usual, there will be tons of vendors, stunt shows, several seminars with very knowledgeable speakers, training sessions, the Summerfest Feast and so much more. If you live nearby or are traveling towards the area, you really owe it to yourself to attend this incredible festival brought to you by BMW of Canada!
http://tinyurl.com/ydelama
http://tinyurl.com/ya4k9zt
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
AMA and BMW Motorrad USA Announce F800GS Winner
The AMA and BMW Motorrad USA gave an entry to everyone who entered and rode in a AMA BMW National Adventure Riding Series event, which were held all over the US, into a drawing for a 2010 BMW F800GS. Well, today they announced the winner - Doug Carter of Eubank, Kentucky, is the lucky SOB. He will take delivery of the F800GS very soon and will make very good use of it; Carter has been riding since he was five years old! So, in many ways, he is a deserving person, but we can still detest him anyway...
http://tinyurl.com/y8e56jm
Charley Boorman Tours & 30th Bristol Classic Show
Charley Boorman is touring the UK theatres with a one-man show based on his adventures throughout the world. Given the success of "Long Way Down", "Long Way 'Round" and "By Any Means", this show promises to be very entertaining and even educational. He is already about a third of the way through his 30-date tour and is enjoying every minute. For all the details - and there are plenty - please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yecydx2
The 30th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show was back in late February. If you made the show in Somerset, England, then you know how many lovely classic and rare motorcycles were on display there. The historic show always brings in the crowds and this year was no exception. It is a huge show which resides in four exhibit halls and lasts two days. For what you missed if you could not make it, please take the link and have a look at some beautiful bikes on display.
http://tinyurl.com/ycttept
Dr. Gregory Frazier Sets Up a KLX250 for Adventure Touring
We have all read Dr. Frazier's articles on his travels and on a huge variety of other topics - most relating to health - and I can say that I have enjoyed every bit of it. He needed a motorcycle which he could take to Alaska and head off onto the roads which are almost never traveled - and it had to be light enough to be carried in some areas. Dr. Frazier's choice for a reasonable mount is a Kawasaki KLX250 and this is how he managed to get it prepared...and then rode it across the northern frontier.
http://tinyurl.com/yl78cdl
Afternoon Moto News - Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 & H-D Long Jump
Finally, we have more details on the 2010 Yamaha Super Tenere. Its price has been set (in the UK, at least) and they have release more technical details on the machine itself. There is even a video available after the link. Just take your time and hope it will make it to US shores!
http://tinyurl.com/yfcvxcm
Stunt Monkey and Crusty Demons star Seth Enslow has set a new jump record for a heavy bike with a slightly modified Harley-Davidson XR1200. He jumped 56 meters on that rather weighty bike and he did it twice! Enslow had no choice as some press missed his first jump. Anyway, the American is now in the record books, but for how long? (He also may have neutered himself...)
http://tinyurl.com/yzbdmbh
http://tinyurl.com/yhj8kry
And, More Evening News - Rizla Suzuki Riders & 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
The MotoGP Rizla Suzuki team riders stopped in Japan at the Suzuki factory in Hamamatsu to tour the factory, meet the people working there, and to meet with the race department ahead of their test in Malaysia. There are some issues which Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista want to work out before they begin their work at the Sepang IC. For more, please take the link...
Finally, Yamaha has unveiled one of the most anticipated bikes this season, the 2010 XT1200Z Super Tenere! It is meant to be a direct competitior to the R1200GS from BMW, as you already know. Of course, there is the Ducati offering as well...and Moto Morini...and Moto Guzzi....it's getting veyr crowded in this popular segment these days. This is one sweet machine, though... Saturday Morning Moto News - Zero Motorcycles PR
Yep, direct from the press release about Zero and "Ride to Adventure Extreme", an Outdoor Channel reality show:
The Outdoor Channel selected Zero Motorcycles for the popular series "Ride to Adventure Extreme." The upcoming episode takes place in Colorado where a group of off-road riders climb to over 13,000 feet on one of the toughest backcountry passes in the state. It's showing at 5:30PM and 8:30PM PST Monday Feb 8th.
On our site we've posted a few outtakes from the show:http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/gallery.php#id=action-videos&num=2
Interested in watching a little something on the street? Our engineering team has been developing significant upgrades for our powertrain. Below is a link to a short clip that they shot during a test… if you're curious about what they're up to, give us a call.
Engineering powertrain test video:http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s-burnout.php
As you can see, plenty to check out. Zero will probably have an extensive line of high-powered on and off-road machines by this time next year, so stay tuned!
More Morning Moto News - Dr. Frazier, Richard Rea & Oulton Park
Dr. Gregory Frazier is now in Laos. If you have not been following his writings over the last several months, simply know that he is on an epic tour through Asia and has already produced at least four articles on his long journeys around the continent - and there are surely more to come. Of course, he is doing most of it on two-wheels, so you will certainly find his stories entertaining even if you do not know who he is...
http://tinyurl.com/y8mvkcb
Jonathan Rea's younger brother, Richard Rea, will now be adding to the list of Rea's who have entered into the British Superbike Championship. Richard will be riding a Honda CBR1000RR (Fireblade) for MB Motorsports in the BSB Superstock 1000 class. He was recently injured, but is recovering well and practicing in Spain. What will become of him? Well, watch the racing this year and you will know!
http://tinyurl.com/yel444p
Oulton Park has now announced some changes to the track which will make it much easier to get up close to the racing action at their track, New spectator facilities have been created and they have added to the food and drink menu at the circuit. This will certainly make a trip to Oulton Park much more entertaining!
http://tinyurl.com/yeyckru
More Afternoon Moto News - Motorcycle Cannonball & Honda VFR1200F
There is even more to read on the upcoming Motorcycle Cannonball...it is a race across the US with pre-1918 motorcycles. It does sound a bit insane - even if you are a rider of such machines - but it is going to be something worth participating in if you have the means. After all, it is high adventure and it will be a part of you for the rest of your life - you will NEVER forget it!
http://tinyurl.com/y876otu
And, someone at Motorcyclist has managed to put a brand new 2010 Honda VFR1200F on a dyno. It was not an easy task as there are so many electronic rider aids which must be turned off to do a proper run on the HP measuring system. In the end, they found it had 142 hp and 81.4 ft-lb of torque at the rear wheel. With all of the controversy surrounding this bike now, some might actually be put to rest with these results.
http://tinyurl.com/yby2nle
More Afternoon Moto News - Granpasso 1200 & MV Agusta
The 2010 Moto Morini Granpasso 1200 is a lovely motorcycle no matter which way you look at it, but is it a good ride? Well, even though the company is struggling - and many rumors continue to say that they have stopped production - it seems that the Italian marque can make some very good bikes. It is unfortunate that the buying public does not see that as the Granpasso 1200 would be a worthy competitor to almost any sport-tourer or adventure motorcycle. If only I could get my hands on one...
Saturday Evening Moto News - 'Round the World
Never got around to posting this - I was waiting on more news, but it never came...
Two Norwegian men are taking a ride around the world on two 1937 Nimbus motorcycles. Even they call themselves idiots, but I would rather look at it as bravery and a bit of insanity. Tormod Amlien and Klaus Ulvestad did get the machine slightly modified to give them four-speed transmissions, but the rest is just about stock. This "Dumb Way Round Tour" is on its way to South America through the US and then they will head to South Africa - that's a very long trip! Please join me in wishing them the best of luck!
http://tinyurl.com/yed6cs4
More Friday Afternoon Moto News - Malaysia, Jordan Szoke and Alex Welsh
Dr. Gregory Frazier is still out riding in Southeast Asia and now has taken to Malaysia. He takes on his lifelong nemesis - snakes - and still manages to get a great trip out of his time there. If you have any interest in adventure riding in the furthest points of the world, this is something you should read. Dr. Frazier will show you what to do and what to avoid; that way you don't have to learn by screwing up!
http://tinyurl.com/y9zd66y
In racing news, we hear that Competition Systems Kawasaki will not be fielding Canadian star racer Jordan Szoke in the 2010 Canadian Superbike Championship. Instead, they will only have one rider, young phenom Alex Welsh who won the 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year. The whole sad situation has been caused by the economic situation which is strangling everyone to their limits.
http://tinyurl.com/y9xv4re
http://tinyurl.com/yem5qc6
More Friday Morning Moto News - Rossi, Aprilia and Charley Boorman
As if we did not already know this - if you are a fan and you pay attention at all, this is common knowledge - an article is stating that Valentino Rossi would rather race in the World Rally Championship than take a seat in Formula 1. They just keep asking him the same questions over and over again, and it never seems to annoy him. Rossi is a respectful guy and we may yet see him behind the wheel of a WRC car within the next few years.
http://tinyurl.com/ygwaf66
Now on to a quick test of the sweet two-stroke Aprilia RS125. Alex Gobert took a Biaggi replica version out for a roaring ride and found that the little machine is one hell of a fun bike. It is well-made and it looks fantastic in any setting. The bike is good for new riders and old timers at the same time. Of course, in the US it would be a track-only machine, but I still want one!
http://tinyurl.com/yfeospb
Take a ride with Charley Boorman through Africa! He is taking a tour group - with rented BMW R1200GS or 650GS motorcycle from Capetown, South Africa, all the way up to Victoria Falls in Zambia. It is a pricey trip, but everything is provided and you don't have to worry about anything on the trip but having fun and enjoying the exotic scenery! Have a look...
http://tinyurl.com/yzvbf82
Tuesday Afternoon Moto Race News and a Solo Cross-Country Trip
Well, the North West 200 has already started preparations for this year's event. Relentless, an energy drink company and sponsor of the TAS Suzuki team, will also be major sponsor, along with Black Horse Finance, for the 2010 North West 200 which will run on 15 May. The usual amazing real roads racers, and some nominally sane circuit specialists, will be taking on the event this time around. As long as the weather holds this year, it will be a great event.
http://tinyurl.com/ya394kn
Even more about the North West 200: http://tinyurl.com/ydwn8ts
25-year-old Jamie Hansen had to travel across the US mainland to get to her new job in California from her home in Florida. And, to make this trip, she took a 1981 Honda CM400T. Brave woman! She managed to take her time and see some of this huge nation while making the trip. She did so successfully and with her own pure grit and determination made a trip of a lifetime - yet she still has much more life to live!
http://tinyurl.com/yefdl24
Tuesday General Moto News - BMW, Triumph and Fun
http://tinyurl.com/yz2yvhw
The world's largest Triumph dealer, Pure Triumph in the U.K., has built a custom Triumph cafe racer based on the 2009 Thruxton. The number of changes is a very long list, the only parts not changed were the frame and the engine internals. They even replaced the tank with a tank from a T140 and adapted to use on the Thruxton. To learn more, you really need to take the link.http://tinyurl.com/y9vtv5s
And, lastly in this post, we have a rather funny fake story about a group of animal rights activists show up at a biker rally to protest the biker's use of leather. It looks like something went terribly wrong at the fictional event and you need to see the results!
http://tinyurl.com/yb3hu35
More Friday Afternoon Moto News - Honda, Adventure and the BMW R1200GS Adventure
First, a trip to the past - again - to look at Honda's racing heritage. This is an incredibly detailed look into Honda's early racing experiences in Japan and their preparation for Soichiro Honda's goal of racing in - and winning - the Isle of Man TT. There is some great information here about the models raced in Japan during those early years and some of the great racers from the factory. Read it and you will learn something...
http://tinyurl.com/ycq3gez
A story of Ivan Pisarenko and his attempts at riding the continental divide (see previous post on another attempt). See, he had many problems during his riding experiences and has managed to come back and try again and again. This man is determined and has also become a sort of folk hero. He even took time during his journey to earn money to continue it...it's an inspiring story and one which should be written about in a book.
http://tinyurl.com/yb5blps
http://tinyurl.com/yfgymmp
And, finally for this post, another riding impression of a BMW - and an appropriate model considering the previous story - the R1200GS Adventure. What an amazing machine! However, it will have to compete with even more similarly focused motorcycles coming from the likes of Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini and more. However, the fact that this machine is adventure-proven does make it a very good choice for riding anywhere you want to go...
http://tinyurl.com/yac7p78