Long Time Away...Again...Plus Links to Articles!

Well, dearest readers (if there is actually someone out there), I have been away from this blog for some time. It was not by choice, let me assure you, but by necessity. Numerous hard drive failures and problems with the data contained on them have placed a significant strain on my finances and my time. I have been very busy writing, though, as that is my only source of income these days. So, without anymore excuses, here is a list of links to some of the work I have done lately. I am planning to keep this up as much as possible and I do hope to start the blog itself again soon...it all depends on whether I an recover my lost data in the next two weeks or so...

Macau Grand Prix

Charlie Mullins Wins AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship

Motorcycle Fixtures!

Own Rossi's TT R1

Az Heyadri and Riders for Health

Yamaha World Crosser Super Tenere

ASV's F3 Holiday Pro Pack Deal

Telefonica Movistar to Return to MotoGP

Honda Announces New Color for VFR1200F ABS

Royal Enfield in California

Billy Joel Opens Motorcycle Shop

Althea Racing's Gensio Bevilacqua puts his Motorcycle Collection online

Josh Herrin Remains with Graves Yamaha

Honda's CBR250RR to be at EICMA 2010

Schuberth Returns to North America

Zero Motorcycles Gathers Another $2 Million

MV Agusta F4 Voted Most Beautiful on the Web

Scary Study Shows Black Riders More Likely to Become Fatalities

KLIM Supports Team USA at ISDE

Wayne Maxwell Secures Dream Moto2 Ride at Phillip Island

Mladin Gear to Be Acutioned & Some WSBK Portimao Previews

Mat Mladin, long-time AMA Pro Racing Superbike competitor and multi-time champion, will be auctioning off some of his Rockstar Makita Suzuki gear, most items autographed, for the De Coster's Kids Motivational Program charity. The De Coster charity was set up by Bob Sparenberg with the purpose of keeping kids off drugs and other intoxicants and focuses them on getting their lives ready for the future. Take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/ylcdm8u

The second round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship is soon to be upon us. It will take place at the now very popular Portimao circuit in Portugal. We now have some race previews popping up ahead of the event. First up is Paul Bird Motorsports Kawasaki; Chris Vermeulen is still injured and is hoping to get fit ahead of the event. Tom Sykes is only hoping to improve on his 13th place at the Phillip Island round.

http://tinyurl.com/yz76osn

We also just received news that Makoto Tamada will have a one-off ride on the Reitwagen BMW at the Portimao WSBK round: http://tinyurl.com/yhw6gdm

Harley Acts Like Any Corporation & Danny Magoo Will Get His Van

It turns out that Harley-Davidson is paying their CEO just like many other ethically-challenged multi-national corporations. Given that The Motor Company has been shutting down production lines and laying off workers, you would think that they could save some of that money by paying the CEO who has presided over the most dramatic losses that the company has ever had would take a pay cut to keep the company running. Well, this is what you get when a motorcycle company goes corporate - their only concern is with their shareholders' value in the stock and the executive pay - they are Wall Street slaves. It's all about the $$$ for them. If I were a loyal H-D rider, I would begin a campaign to stop this sort of behavior...but, I am not one...

http://tinyurl.com/yf5kvbw

Does anyone remember when we heard the news that Bob Hannah was setting up a fund to purchase a full-mobility van for motocross legend Danny "Magoo" Chandler? Well, it has achieved its goal! Magoo will be getting his van very soon now. It was new Hall of Fame inductee brothers Bob and Geoff Fox who donated the final US$15K to the project. Everyone is labeling the Fox brothers as amazing at this point, and there is good reason for this! For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ykkyrnn

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Alpinestars Special Tees & Ace Cafe Winners

Alpinestars has teamed up with band Angels & Airwaves to produce a line of t-shirts which will be sold to benefit Riders for Health. The idea is not new, but it is a very good one. Anything earned by these shirts to help aid workers in Africa get around to help people is a positive step. So, take whatever little money you do have and order one for yourself - and maybe some for your family and friends - and help out some wonderful people who use it to do good in this world.

http://tinyurl.com/yembkst

Recently, as you know if you have been following this blog, London's Ace Cafe held their Ace Cafe London Motorcycle & Custom Show (it was last weekend at Alexandra Palace), also known as Ally Pally. The winners of the various event classes have now been disclosed to the public and are available on the other side of this link. At least one of the winners will be taking a trip to South Dakota for the Sturgis rally!

http://tinyurl.com/y9jlwbw

MORE Morning Moto News - Haiti Relief Continues!

The linked story just popped up this morning and, in the interest of showing how motorcyclists care and to keep the focus on the disaster, I figured it would be a good idea to post this story on Haiti relief. This one takes place in Los Angeles and you have read about it before - Ride 4 Haiti - which starts out at Glendale Harley-Davidson on 27 February 2010. For all the people involved and the story behind all of this, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yf6d7gr

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - The Electric Confusion & PINK AMA Supercross

Mark Gardiner has done a great job of covering the stink between the TTXGP and the Isle of Man - with their TT Zero race. As you may already know, the Isle of Man race organizers switched away from Azhar Hussain's race series, the TTXGP, to their own version which they call the TT Zero. There is a great deal which went on behind the scenes when this decision was made. For some of that knowledge and to get some history on the whole affair, take the link to the two part article...it is worth your time!

http://tinyurl.com/yfovtr6

Well, we read that the Kawasaki 24-hour charity ride for the Cure was a success; we also heard that the AMA Supercross race held the next day was also used to bring in some money in the fight against Breast Cancer - they raised over US$27,000! Well, there is also an auction for various autographed goods from your favorite racer. Just take the link to learn the details. Susan G. Komen is loving this, and they are most grateful!

http://tinyurl.com/yeuzhlw

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Brett McCormick & Ride for Haiti

2009 Canadian Superbike Champion Brett McCormick will be racing with the Picotte Performance team, riding a Suzuki GSX-R1000, in the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike Championship for 2010. His team in Canada was just hit too hard by the economy to be able to support him in his home nation. So, he has decided to race in the US with his own money and some help from his new team. Let's wish him well!

http://tinyurl.com/ygwovtx

Out in Los Angeles, Jimmy Jean-Louis (someone in NBC’s TV show "Heroes"), and several other organizations are bringing a Ride for Haiti event to the city on 27 February 2010 - just a over a week away. The event will kick off from Glendale Harley Davidson. There is a plethora of information about the ride, the people involved and the people who will be helping Haiti with your donations. Please take the link and do something to help; the people of Haiti need whatever we can get to them...

http://tinyurl.com/yafakwd

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Kawasaki for the Cure & 250 MX Shootout

The Kawasaki Moto Marathon for the Cure was run in conjunction with the Anaheim III round of the AMA Supercross event, which was also themed with Breast Cancer Awareness, last weekend. It was a 24-hour event where riders were trained on off-road skills of all kinds for as long as they needed or wanted instruction. Participants were offered the classes for free as long as they made a donation to the San Diego Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. 75 riders attended and more than US$2500 was raised from just their donations! It is a long story, so please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yjnx58d

MotorcycleUSA has just wrapped up a test of all the popular 250cc motocross bikes - minus the Suzuki RM-Z250, which was unavailable for the test. They did test the 2010 Honda CRF250R, Kawasaki KX250F, KTM 250 SX-F and Yamaha YZ250F and came home with some results. To find out who won what and which machine is the best for MX riding and racing, please read the article after the link. (It looks like Big Red has done it again...)

http://tinyurl.com/yzlovnf

More Morning Moto News - Race 4 Heroes & Troy Herfoss

The Race 4 Heroes will have drivers and riders from all over British motorsport, including some celebrities as well, get together and race in a kart endurance event at Daytona kart circuit (in Milton Keynes) on 27 February 2010. All of the money raised will go to Help for Heroes, a veteran's charity in the U.K. For more information, take the link...and help out a soldier as well!

http://tinyurl.com/y94q5j5

Troy Herfoss, a competitor in the Australian Supersport Championship, has taken the time to talk about the run-up to the first race of the 2010 ASBK season. He has been testing and has been quite pleased with what he has in his pit. Given the number of other racers in that class who have moved up to the Superbike or Superstock classes, Herfoss is the favorite in this year's Supersport series. For all the details and the interesting side notes, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yczgquu

Friday Afternoon Moto News - Sterilgarda Yamaha WSBK & Ace Cafe Iron Butt

World Superbike Championship team Sterilgarda Yamaha has unveiled their livery for the 2010 season. Riders James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow were also present at the event and took time to answer questions, a very polite thing to do. There are many changes to their 2010 machines, including more horsepower, less weight, different shaped fuel tank and many more. For all that information, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ya62q2a

As part of the Ally Pally show, put together by the folks at Ace Cafe London, Danny John-Jules and his mate Graham Hoskins will be leaving from the show location at noon on 27 February 2010 to take a 7,000 mile trip around the Mediterranean to raise money for BBC TV's "Sport Relief" charity. Of course, the show has plenty else to attract you, but this ride is certainly - given the path they will take - an Iron Butt event!

http://tinyurl.com/ybk322z

They have chosen the Honda Transalp for the ride: http://tinyurl.com/ybfemcq

MORE Morning Moto News - Ezpeleta and Changi & Haiti Bike Wash

MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta is getting a bit impatient. See, the Changi Motorsports Hub is far behind schedule and should be much further along than it is now. The idea is to bring MotoGP to Singapore for the first time, but they cannot do that if there are no facilities there for them to use. Ezpeleta doesn't even want to talk about it these days as he has been promised its construction for over two years now and there is nothign to show for it...now he wants to push it to get done!

http://tinyurl.com/yh4ot68

Last weekend for our Bike Wash Fundraiser for Haiti. Join us this weekend, February 13-14, as Pro Italia will be holding our final bike wash to raise money for the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation in Haiti. We will wash your bike for a suggested donation $35, with all proceeds going to the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation. In addition we will give $5 to this worthy charity every time you buy a Pro Italia T-shirt, and $10 for every Pro Italia sweatshirt, or jacket. Please join us for a clean bike, good fun and, most importantly, a chance to help children.

Head on over: http://www.proitalia.com/

More Afternoon Moto News - Custom Triumph Scrambler, BMW R1200R Charity Auction & Flat Track TV

Italian designer Pietro Figini of TPR Italian Factory has taken his eyes and hands to the modern Triumph Scrambler. He has taken it and turned it into a retro-looking machine worthy of a museum display, but it is simply a modern take on the classic look - it will still be under warranty and will perform like a modern motorcycle. Take the link and have a look for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/ygmluda

BMW has created a special edition of its R1200R for the 40th anniversary of their Berlin plant and auctioned it late last year. It is a Roadster with special parts and pieces from the BMW accessory catalog - and there are plenty of them. The proceeds from the sale went to Save the Children Deutschland. They managed to raise €14,951 for the great cause.

http://tinyurl.com/ycmbs43

AMA Pro Racing and MavTV have signed on to actually air the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Championship on TV. You may or may not have the station, so you need to check with your satellite or cable TV provider. But, if you do have it, you will get to see 5 of the 21 rounds this year - and, the agreement will be in effect for three years.

http://tinyurl.com/yeykdt3

Friday Afternoon Moto News - Neil Kent, Bosch ABS & Pink Kawasaki

Neil Kent has taken the Austin Munks Trophy for the fourth time! He will be presented the award today for his performance at the 2009 Manx Grand Prix. Kent was the highest-placed Lincolnshire rider and that is why he gets the award. He shares the trophy with North Lincolnshire's Guy Martin.

http://tinyurl.com/yamvqcb

Bosch's motorcycle ABS system has won a big award in Germany. They call it the 'Yellow Angel' award and it was given to them for their work in improving road safety for motorcyclists. They have done excellent work and their system certainly does work well...Good going Bosch!

http://tinyurl.com/ydrq6y7

Kawasaki Motors USA will be doing its best to bring attention to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure cause by hosting a 24-hour training dirt bike training seminar being held on 13 February 2010. It will be held at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross event in Anaheim, California. What a great way to work for a charity and bring hope to so many!

http://tinyurl.com/yanpjw3

More Afternoon Moto News - Pretty Buell, Harley 48 & Aspire

A builder and designer in the U.K. has actually managed to turn the Buell 1125R into something which has a far superior aesthetic value than the stock model. The bike is called the Magpul Ronin, and it just may be a model for future products. As it is now, it is merely a prototype, but the Buell owners will likely push them to produce some of the cool bits on this machine for the public to buy. If Magpul does not, they will be losing some serious money.

http://tinyurl.com/ykvge96

And, it is from the same source that we get the first real look at the new Harley-Davidson 48. It is based on a Sportster 1200 (the second most common H-D) and it has fatter tires and a single seat. Not sure what is supposed to be so special, but then I am not an obsessive H-D fan like some are...

http://tinyurl.com/ykljt9u

US review: http://tinyurl.com/y93gugm

And, here is some important news for U.K. residents; the Aspire charity group which does work for people with severe spinal injuries, allowing them to live normal lives. They will be having what they call a D-Day Ride Out, which will take place in France on 12 - 13 June 2010. Head on over to the website for more details.

http://www.aspire.org.uk/bikers/

More Afternoon Moto News - Dainese, Pro Italia & 2010 Versys

Dainese has had a release event for their 2010 line-up of clothing and AGV helmets. The US event was held at the Dainese D-Store in Costa Mesa, California. Though there is little after the link, at least you get an introduction to their new products.

http://tinyurl.com/yaw2rj6

Specific to the D-Air, which was also released: http://tinyurl.com/ybm8a2b

It is on the home page now, but I am not sure for how long. Pro Italia, down in Los Angeles, will be hosting a fund-raiser for Haiti relief. It is a bike wash, a Q&A with local motorcycle police officer John Morena, and a talk with Bill Oberman about customizing your motorcycle. The seminars happen this Sunday (31 January 2010) at 13:00 at their Los Angeles shop. The bike wash will actually be held for the next three weekends and will benefit the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation.

http://www.proitalia.com/

And, a nice report on the 2010 Kawasaki Versys comes to us courtesy of MCN (UK). It is simply an early report from the test taking place in Sardinia - yes, Sardinia. Have a read. It's short but very informative.

http://tinyurl.com/yl7xvzj

Monday Afternoon Moto News - Laverda 750S, Lorenzo & a Show

Over at the Rare SportBikes for Sale blog, we get a look at an astounding example of a 1999 Laverda 750S Formula motorcycle. It is for sale in North Carolina, and there are very few examples in the US of this fine Italian stallion. You won't find many of these on the road...and the price is excellent.

http://tinyurl.com/y95fdca

Jorge Lorenzo has been working with Intermom Oxfam to create an online commercial to get people to donate to the Haiti earthquake relief. Given the immense suffering in that nation now, this is an incredible gesture. Lorenzo will also donate his gold boots, which he wore in 2008, to be auctioned for more money directed at relief efforts. Anything that helps, helps!

http://tinyurl.com/yal4ubk

The 11th Annual Riding Into History event will take place in St. Augustine, Florida, on 15 May 2010. A group put together for the event and a local BMW Owners Association - Northeast Florida - will be organizing the event and Clement Salvadori will be the Grand Marshal. Craig Vetter and artist Don Bradley will also be in attendance. There should be some 300 to 400+ motorcycles on display.

http://tinyurl.com/yb3wrvo

Even MORE Afternoon Moto News - NHRA, XDL & Haiti

The NHRA is changing things up at the zMAX Dragway in North Carolina - they are running four lanes now instead of two. It does sound odd, but it is true, at least for this event. Some like it, some despise it, but it will happen - most people were surprised by the NHRA approval for it in the first place. The event will be held 26 - 28 March 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yk2mya6

During the 2010 Daytona Bike Week, the XDL Sportbike Freestyle Championship will be held at Daytona International Speedway during 26 - 28 February. This is the first time that the XDL will make the trip to Florida, believe it or not, and this event will certainly add something more to Bike Week - so much to do and so little time!

http://tinyurl.com/yzfnhrp

Help Haiti! Famed workout freak Jillian Michaels is auctioning off her Troy Lee customized 2007 Yamaha FZ1, with all proceeds going to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Michaels has friends in the nation and traveled there a while back in search of direction for her life, so Haiti is close to her heart. The auction price was up to US$16,000 the last time I checked, so she will be contributing a great deal to the cause. If you want to help, either bid on the bike or make your own donation - there are several charities helping out, find the one you like and give them some cash!

http://tinyurl.com/yhwhrq6

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - RFK, Sturgis and TTXGP

A new press release from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride for Kids lets us know that even the tough economy did not keep the generous spirit of motorcyclists from doing what they do best - earning money for the cause. In 2009, the charity raised over US$4.4 million. They have also added another event for 2010. To learn more, click the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ygcvozg

The Sturgis Rally will turn 70 years old in 2010 and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame is getting ready for the celebration. So, take the link and learn about what to expect if you are heading to the event in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yl5otw6

There is news that another team has signed up to ride in the 2010 TTXGP series - 666 Road Racing Limited. They will be campaigning a Mavizen TTX02 eSuperbike with co-founder Nick Potts piloting the machine. They have even provided a video for your viewing pleasure.

http://tinyurl.com/y8rmxza

Thursday Evening Moto News - Ducati Xerox and More

Ducati Xerox is getting ready for the first World Superbike test of 2010 at Portimao, Portugal on 22 January 2010. Well, now that their team manager is working for BMW, they have had to make some organizational changes. Of course, Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio are still the team's riders, so that part is still in its place. For the rest, go ahead and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz5wogq

Two otherwise wealthy and successful guys decide to ride in an extreme enduro event in South Africa for five charities. They even managed to raise some £17,000 on their own for the causes. Dale Norton and Peter Coles, of a real estate company (property agents) known as Romans, took on this challenge together and had the time of their lives. The link takes you to a short article.

http://tinyurl.com/yfqxneb

The 2nd Annual Monster Energy Extreme Sports Indoor Kart Challenge

Down Pole Position Raceway in Corona, California on 12 January 2010, the 2nd Annual Monster Energy Extreme Sports Indoor Kart Challenge will be held. Professional motorcycle racers, rally car drivers, skateboarders and many other 'extreme' athletes will be racing karts around a track to benefit local sports teams in California. Take a look, if you can attend it will be a night not to miss!

http://tinyurl.com/ybxkr78