Watsonian Squire Ltd - 100 Years in the British Motorcycle Industry

One-hundred years is a long time or any company, but it is an especially important anniversary for a company whose work is in the British motorcycle industry. Many great companies have come and gone - and come again, for some of them - and they have left many great bikes behind them. But, one which has been there through just about all of it is Watsonian Squire Ltd. They have also made a name for themselves within a certain set of accolytes.

Watsonian Squire Ltd is the company known for producing the historic and classic looking sidecar rigs used in the world-renowned Harry Potter movies, so you have probably seen their work. They also have made specials for the likes of Ewan McGreggor and the Two Fat Ladies, world-famous TV chefs. This was all accomplished by a small, 12-person operation based in a small British town. For a little more and a look at some of their work, take the link:

http://tinyurl.com/7qtvlec

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

Big MotoGP News for Speed Viewers in North America

Dorna and Speed (TV) have reached an agreement which will allow the US-based channel to air the 2010 - 2012 MotoGP Championship seasons in high-definition (HD) LIVE! It's the first of its kind for North American fans of the world's greatest sport, the Motorcycle Grand Prix. The agreement begins this weekend with the Qatar round of the series - a night race in the desert. Speed will show the event live at 4 PM (ET) on 11 April 2010. They will also put some of the races online at speedtv.com. For all the very cool details, please take the link...Amazing!

http://tinyurl.com/yegaq6e

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

Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show Review & Michelin Power Pure

Here we have a report from the 2010 Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show which took place at and during Daytona Bike Week about two weeks ago. They were much more ambitious this year as they scheduled five shows over the week and added some new categories. Many of the bikes are not to everyone's taste - often overdone and way too much chrome - but the ideas presented were worth attending for everyone. For the details, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yl3bvx8

The new Michelin Power Pure motorcycle tire is being lauded as the lightest motorcycle tire ever produced. Of course, they are the ones making the claim, but they do back it up with evidence. We will also see for certain once they hit the streets - both figuratively and literally. They will use Michelin's Two-Compound Technology (2CT) and their Light Tire Technology (LTT) for better performance all around. Check out the press release for more information...

http://tinyurl.com/ykj8hax

BBC Announces Suzi Perry Replacement & Rossi Says "Three More Years"

Now, it is tough to find a replacement for someone like Suzi Perry, who had been one of the most important voices in MotoGP for the last decade (at least to the UK). Well, since Perry stepped down at the end of last year to pursue other interests, the BBC has been searching for someone to take her position. They have announced their new employee - Jennie Gow. Gow has extensive experience working in newspapers, TV and radio, and she has plenty of motorcycle racing experience as well - Speedway and Motocross. Take a look at the new face of MotoGP for the UK.

http://tinyurl.com/yjrmtre

Valentino Rossi, in an in-depth interview, has stated that he plans on staying in MotoGP for three more years - and very likely with Yamaha. He stated a few days ago that defecting to Ducati is NOT an option for him and he wants to finish his career with Yamaha...and yet people still keep spreading rumors about him riding for Ducati. For the very short pieces, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yzdu6fo

Stuart Easton Speaks on BSB Testing & Lake Havasu XDl Freestyle

From the man himself, Stuart Easton gives us his perspective on his testing so far in preparation for the 2010 British Superbike Championship. Most riders were in Spain at a track in Cartagena for last week, and Easton was right there among them. He did quite well in the testing and is finding his new teammate, James Ellison, very agreeable. We can only wait for the season to start to see if Easton gained what he needed for some good finishes...

http://tinyurl.com/yj3wxos

Are you getting a Spring Break? Well, if so - even if not and you just want somewhere to escape from work - take a look at the festivities on offer at the 2010 Lake Havasu City 2010 XDL Freestyle Sport Bike Competition. There will be the best stunt riders from around the US, and some from around the world, competing in judged stunt runs and freestyle stunting on sport bike motorcycles. It is entertainment and an impressive demonstration of skill worth your time and money. Take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/ygpp8kc

Pit Pass Radio Has Zemke and Herrin & Knutsford Honda Sponsors Thundersprint

Jake Zemke and Josh Herrin will both be interviewed tonight on Pit Pass Radio. They will also have Paul Whibley, Johnny Lewis and Johnny Jump. You can either catch it tonight at 20:00 as it is broadcast for the first time or you can head to their website afterwards and download the podcast and listen to it any time you want to do so. Take the link to get the links...

http://tinyurl.com/y85ec3x

Knutsford Honda, a rather influential dealer in the UK, will again be the title sponsor for this year's Thundersprint race in Northwich during 8 - 9 May 2010. The dealer has had a great deal of success at the event and is more than happy to be a part of it again this year. Thundersprint is growing larger and larger and has gained an importance felt throughout Europe. The 2010 event will be the best yet!

http://tinyurl.com/yjj8egu

More Ducati Multistrada Madness & Lawson and Spies on Video

The 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is quite possibly the first ever near-perfect motorcycle. They say it is a four in one, and after reading so much about it I no longer doubt them. However, I do want to ride the thing myself to determine if it does live up to the hype - I am always skeptical with Ducati. The linked videos, though, will show you the high-tech side of the machine; the ability to set custom settings maps, personalized just for you, just blows away any competition presently...have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/y8s58gh

Ben Spies and Eddie Lawson sat down and talked about the differences between the racing technology today and what it was like when Lawson was taking wins. They also did some on track riding and demonstrated some rather incredible control. I guess we should expect no less from these guys...Yamaha set this up and produced the vids. It is much more than just marketing, though, so go and have a look.

http://tinyurl.com/y9xlndg

A Very Good Series on MotoGP Safety in a Timeline

Road Racer X has just put up a timeline series on safety improvements in the motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship or MotoGP. They start at the very beginning of the championship itself and will continue up to the present - and likely 2012 as the rules are being worked out now - with six parts. They are only up to Part 3 now, but all of them are available online for free. It's worth your time...

Here we will start with Part 1 as the next parts of the series are linked from there.

http://tinyurl.com/ygng9zw

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - R&G Racing and BMW & Triumph 20th Anniversary

Crash protection specialists R&G Racing will be providing the crash protection for Keith Code's California Superbike School's BMW S1000RR machines. Each of the bikes will be outfitted with just about every piece of protection you can get from R&G for the S1000RR. It's a press release, so feel free to take the link and have a read.

http://tinyurl.com/yahzje4

Well, it's the 20th anniversary of the re-born Triumph on 18 September 2010 and it will be celebrated in proper style at Mallory Park. The call it Triumph Live and tickets are already on sale. They will also open the doors of the Triumph factory, which is only eight miles (~13 Km) away from the circuit. Also, bring some money as they will have a huge 'megastore' of Triumph gear and accessories at discount prices. Take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yaxvpfy

More Morning Moto News - Zero and Sheheen & BSB Testing

Zero Motorcycles has just announced that they have signed Ralph Sheheen as spokesperson for their line of electric motorcycles. You all know Sheheen from the SPEED Channel, or at least you should as he hosts just about every motorcycle competition on the TV station. He will join them immediately and will join them on their multi-city promotional tour which begins on 20 March 2010 in Washington D.C. For all the details, don't forget to take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lkyyu

Josh Brookes has taken the lead at the pre-season British Superbike Championship testing at Gaudix. The Spanish circuit saw him take the unofficial lead away from Stuart Easton and Tommy Hill with his HM Plant Honda. The testing is certainly adding to Brookes' confidence and his belief that he does have a chance at winning the whole thing by season's end. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8d5ssw

MORE Afternoon Moto News - PitPassRadio

Tonight's Pit Pass Radio show will have Steve Rapp, David Lloyd, Dennis Noyes, Josh Strang and Maria Forsberg. It's an all-star show, just about, and you do not want to miss an interview with the rider who took his Motocorsa/Team Latus Ducati 848 to third position in the Daytona 200 last week. The show is always broadcast live on Tuesday nights (8PM EST) and you can always download a podcast version just minutes later. Check it out!



http://tinyurl.com/y9kbfgr

Monday Night Moto News - Leigh Adams to Join Speedway Broadcast

Former FIM Speedway star Leigh Adams just announced his retirement early this year. Now we hear that Adams will be spending time in the announcing booth with the Sky Sports broadcast team during the 2010 FIM Speedway Grand Prix season. Having him on the team should add to the knowledge from which they draw their commentar. It could be a very good move...

http://tinyurl.com/yaydlz3

Sunday Morning Moto News - Tommy Hill & Rene Cormier

On the second-to-last day of British Superbike Practice at the Cartagena, Spain, circuit, Worx Crescent rider Tommy Hill pulled the fastest lap of the day. The telling part of this feat is that Hill was setting consistent laps while working on many different aspects of race set up. This is a positive test for this team!

http://tinyurl.com/yj3yn8c

By the end of the test, Hill was still on top: http://tinyurl.com/yzs9fvt

Rene Cormier is another person who decided to take a motorcycle around the world. Seven years ago, Cormier sold just about everything he owned and packed up a BMW F650GS motorcycle and took off. The book he wrote about the journey is called "The University of Gravel Roads: Global Lessons From a Four Year Motorcycle Adventure" and Cormier will be in Calgary today discussing it. For all the details, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ylmds3b

Friday Afternoon Moto News - BMW Motorrad, NZ WSBK & Duke Video

BMW Motorrad has won Motorcycle of the Year 2010 in a readers' poll taken by MOTORRAD, a German (?) motorcycle magazine. BMW won all five of the categories in which it was listed - that means five different models of BMW motorcycles beat out every other machine with which they competed for ratings. It is an amazing result and one which has never occurred before. For which models won what, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9osu5s

That's right, you read it correctly; it looks like the World Superbike Championship will be making an appearance in New Zealand in 2012. The rumors seem to have come from the new agreement with Phillip Island (contracted until 2014), and the Hampton Down circuit is where it may happen. It's all up in the air now, but it just might become a reality!

http://tinyurl.com/ye2re8r

Duke Video has released a special DVD set for a good price - it is three volumes of the Isle of Man TT 2009 On Bike Laps. It has 12 laps of the TT circuit and is longer than four hours! Fans of the event can see it first-hand from the point of view of some very famous TT riders from numerous cameras placed on their machines. This is not all there is on this DVD set, though. You know where to go for the rest...

http://tinyurl.com/yd9svbw

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

More Morning Moto News - All Things Moto(GP) & MotoGP Interviews with Pedrosa and Dovizioso

A new webcast series is coming to us from OnTheThrottle.tv; it is called All Things Moto(GP) and will be hosted by Liam Shubert. Obviously, the show will concern itself with the MotoGP series. It can be found on RoadracingWorld.com and will be presented every Monday. Last night's episode was the first of this season and you can still catch it by taking the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/ydqfq2a

From another one of our favorite websites comes a couple of MotoGP interviews. Both of them were obtained in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit after the recent pre-season test. First up is Repsol Honda man Dani Pedrosa, who will most certainly be one of the front runners in this years Championship. Right after Pedrosa is his teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who is also a force on the MotoGP track. This is a good way to get some perspective on the testing from the rider's point of view.

Pedrosa: http://tinyurl.com/ybmg542

Dovizioso: http://tinyurl.com/y98bt4v

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Jessica Patterson & MotoCzysz in the Movies

Jessica Patterson has now signed with DNA Shred Stix/Star Racing/Yamaha for the 2010 WMA season. Patterson is currently ranked number 2 in the world of women's motocross, so the team has accomplished a real coup to get her on-board their machines. She will be riding on a Yamaha and will most certainly be a factor in every AMA Motocross event this year.

http://tinyurl.com/yask7te

In the upcoming release (maybe remake?) "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps", you will see both a Ducati Desmosedici and the MotoCzysz C1 competing against each other. I am not sure, but even Michael Czysz might make an appearance in the film as he rides the C1 in the film for the movie. For a little more detail and a linked video preview of the film, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydukvht

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Sarolea Motorcycle & Pit Pass Radio

A very rare Sarolea Motorcycle, a 1942 model, was featured on the History Channel show "Pawn Stars". The pawn broker in the show purchased the vintage Belgian motorcycle for US$4500 and then sold it at auction for US$7000. It is probably worth a bit more as there are rumored to only be 5 of them in the entire USA. These bikes are in high demand by collectors, so expect to hear plenty more of this story in the coming weeks.

http://tinyurl.com/ylhsent

And, we have the line-up for this week's Pit Pass Radio. Tonight will feature Zach Ames (Arenacross Racer, Spine Chillers Storm Lake Honda), Dan Brown (Owner, Trials Training Center Trials Training Center), Larry Pegram (Superbike Racer Team Owner - as if you needed to know that), and Danny Walker (Founder and President, American Supercamp). Tune in and get your interview on!

http://tinyurl.com/yz8gcjr