Wednesday Evening Moto News - Huntington Concours, Freddie Spencer & Paris Dainese Exhibit

Don't forget about the Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance this coming weekend in California. I have been over it here before, so I don't want to bore you (just do not forget that Burt Munro's Indian will be on display). Just take the link to get the details and show up if you can make it - after all, the price is not that bad for what you get to see!

http://tinyurl.com/yl9sybs

Speaking of historic motorcycles, Freddie Spencer is selling two of his championship winning race bikes through dealers RMD Motors. It seems that there are some financial issues and he needs the money more than the historic motorcycles. The 1983 Honda NS500 triple and the 1985 Honda NSR250 twin are on offer, so take the link and learn more. If you have a seriously large bank account go ahead and buy them!

http://tinyurl.com/yzousyt

Dainese recently opened an exhibit at the Cite des Sciences in Paris, France, which shows the history of body protection. It is full of leathers and other protective gear from many of history's greatest motorcycle racers. It is not only about Dainese as they also have many displays focused on road safety. The exhibit is called 'A Toute Epreuve: New Technologies for Protecting the Human Form' and runs until 8 August 2010. Get yourself to Paris tout de suite!

http://tinyurl.com/y9nfyms

More Morning Moto News - Balatonring Circuit, Interwetten Honda & Kawasaki Z1

The Hungarian circuit of Balatonring looks to be on course for the 2010 Hungarian Motorcycle Grand Prix. However, we did read earlier reports on how some local civic groups are quite upset at how much taxpayer money is going into the track - and how little profit will be coming back to state coffers. So, there will probably be some political bullying - hopefully, it will be more compromise and working together - to get this track ready for the MotoGP circus to setup and play. 19 September 2010 is the date to watch for...

http://tinyurl.com/y9pujfq

Interwetten Honda is following in the footsteps of the Aspar Grand Prix team and will have riders in all three classes, MotoGP, Moto2 and 125GP. They have signed on Marcel Schrotter for their 125cc effort; he is a young up-and-coming German rider who looks to be a competitive rider in the series. Even though it seems most teams are strapped for cash, it seems that these two teams are hedging their bets.

http://tinyurl.com/y8oqany

Looks like someone has a lovely, un-restored and healthy 1974 Kawasaki Z1 for sale on eBay. The price is close to US$9K right now, but it is worth every penny. You will have a very hard time trying to find one which has not been restored in this condition - it is almost perfect. Owning a piece of motorcycle history is simple, just take the link and then place a bid!

http://tinyurl.com/ydul33m

PR: MV Agusta Begins F4 Production

Direct from the PR department at MV Agusta:

MV AGUSTA F4 STARTS PRODUCTION

After making everyone daydream at EICMA, the new F4 is ready for delivery to every MV Agusta dealer.

Varese, 9th February 2010 – In the very days when the fastest and most esteemed testers of the world press will be in Almeria (Spain) to test the incredible performances of the new MV Agusta superbike, the first F4 units will be delivered to the dealers.

After the incredible success obtained at EICMA, where the F4 was repeatedly elected queen of the Show, the F4 is ready for delivery to the first enthusiasts who have booked it long time ago.

Despite the unhappy economic general moment, MV Agusta is carrying on working at full force in order to meet the demands of the customers, who have already awarded the success of the new Brutale and who are looking forward to the arrival of the new MV branded dream motorcycle.
The production lines have not met slowdowns or stops, which is the mark of a company working at best to be able to give the chance to as many motorcyclists as possible to ride the Italian dream.

The record technology (variable intake tract geometry, traction control), the unreachable performances and the incredible design of the motorcycle, that has always been esteemed as the best sport motorcycle in the world, have brought much euphoria that MV Agusta will meet completely.

Waiting is finished, dream continues …

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - CB750 For Sale & Spain By Bullet

First of all is this eBay find of a 1975 Honda CB750. It is partially restored and ready to be finished into either a show bike or a mile-munching classic. The next one is a 1970 CB750 which only has 5,000 miles on the clock. It has been stored most of its life, but has received some recent work. Check them out and buy one if you can!

http://tinyurl.com/ye9bkvb

We have a great story about a man and his Royal Enfield Bullet who takes it all around the northern coast of Spain. It turns out that this mount, with a 50+ year-old design, is probably one of the best backroad cruising machines you can purchase. No, it is not perfect, but the feel of riding one through historic lands is just fantastic.

http://tinyurl.com/yexuwz2

Tuesday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta, Bimota & Aprilia

A new Italian firm has just announced a very special MV Agusta Brutale model - the Tamburini T1. It is full of exotic parts which can only be sourced from a company set up by Massimo Tamburini's son, Andrea Tamburini, called Tamburini Corse. It is in the old MV Corse stomping grounds of San Marino and makes parts and accessories exclusively for MV Agusta and Ducati motorcycles. You will notice that, in the photos, they have modified a pre-2010 model Brutale just to show what can be done. Have a look, I am sure you will be pleased.

http://tinyurl.com/yj3eq4u


Over at the RareSportBikes for Sale blog, there is a listing for a 2008 Bimota DB6R, a very special machine indeed. It is the top-end model of the DB6 range and comes with all of the lovely unobtanium parts and accessories that you could ever want. This bike belonged to the importer - former importer - and only has 1100 miles on the clock. Plus, it is full US-spec. It is worth a look!

http://tinyurl.com/yg8qhdg

Another riding impression of a 2010 Aprilia RS125, but this one was tested in the US. The bike is well-sorted and built for track duty or just simple racing. It is light, handles well, and is designed to get you around a track as fast as a 125c.c. two-stroke is capable of doing. Take a look and you may want one for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yg3fpzj

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

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - BMW R1200RT, Keith Code and the Mobility Conquest

The new 2010 BMW R1200RT has had some extra power on tap, and some minor upgrades including the new ESA2 remotely adjustable suspension system. MCN (UK) is in Spain at the press launch and they have been very impressed with the new engine character so far. And, they have at least 600 miles on it now. A full review will be available soon.

http://tinyurl.com/ycesbo4

Keith Code's California Superbike School is now running with BMW S1000RR machines, so they are selling their used Kawasaki ZX-6Rs. All 16 of them are up for sale right now, 15 of them at US$4500 with new tires, and one special ZX-6R, which was for Keith Code himself and has many upgrades, for US$7000. Check it out, a used bike can still be new to you!

http://tinyurl.com/yccfxtp

And, just a quick note that the Mobility Conquest, a BMW-based motorcycle which allows people stuck in a wheelchair to ride a bike, will be on display at Cycle World's International Motorcycle Show at the Cleveland I-X Center this 29 - 31 January 2010. It will be the first time to see one in the US!

http://tinyurl.com/yezzdo6

Very Busy Monday Morning - Terrot HSS and Aprilias for Sale

Builder Jean Claude Barrois has built a modern 1926-ish Terrot HSS clubman-type race machine. It is what the author calls an enthusiast's restoration as Barrois built the machine with common race modifications which would have been made in the late 1920's to early 1930's. This machine dates back to that time, a time when the French manufacturer Terrot was the largest motorcycle producer in that nation. They made use of J.A.P. engines and this one is a prime example of the 'gold standard' 350c.c. OHV produced by them. You really should take a close look - this is a beautiful machine!

http://tinyurl.com/yfc6km2


This post is actually about 4 rare motorcycles for sale. They are not rare by production standards, but are full-equipped race machines from KWS, the company who supported the Aprilia AMA PRo Racing effort. The first three must be seen by taking a link on the linked page below - they are Aprilia RSV1000R Factory race bikes direct from the racing team. All of them have been re-built and should last just as long as if new. But, they are very much race-prepped, so prepare for some mind-blowing power, but at a very reasonable price. The first one you will see after the link is the 2008 KWS RSV1060R Factory. It is not brand new, but it has been given the 1060 big-bore kit and several modifications on its own. The price on this one is also amazing given the technology included. Get yours fast or you will miss them...

http://tinyurl.com/yfdc8o5

Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Mid-America Auction, A Yamaha Wheel and Wrooom!

This is the first report I have come across from the Las Vegas Mid-America vintage motorcycle auction. Apparently, the number of bikes in the auction was less than previous events by about 100 consignments. However, there were plenty of great historic motorcycles to get your hands on if you had the money. About 20% were Triumphs, so the linked article focuses on this more than the others. Enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/yjcmlut

Finally, more news: http://tinyurl.com/yh6nnvh

And, about Day 3: http://tinyurl.com/yb4pzcn

Another design which did not make it into the previous post. This is something really out of this world! It is a one-wheel 'motorcycle' from the mind of Japanese designer Yuji Fujimura. He calls it the Yamaha Wheel Rider. Really, you owe yourself a look...

http://tinyurl.com/yc5pd68

And, finally for this post, we get the press release from Ducati about the Wrooom 2010. There are plenty of bits about the new GP10 bike, Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner. Since it is a PR, just have a read and learn what Ducati wants us to know about the huge (and very expensive) event held in the Italian ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio.

http://tinyurl.com/yd2lsqb

Even More New Year's Eve News from the Moto World, Part 2

Didn't expect this news to make it, but here it is...

There is a sweet bike which was found on eBay by the bloggers at Motorcycle Classics - a 1984 Kawasaki GPz550. Now, this bike may not be very interesting to you, but to me it was a very significant motorcycle. They were everywhere when I was growing up back then and they were certainly hard to miss when on the street. This model has over 37,000 miles on it, but it was very well taken care of...take a look!

http://tinyurl.com/y9pfynx

Next, we have a trip to the Bonneville Vintage GP at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. This is just an article describing what happened at the 4th annual event in 2009 - and noting why you should not miss the 2010 running. Anyone who enjoys classic or historical motorcycles and motorcycle racing will enjoy this event like none before it!

http://tinyurl.com/y8z7m6c

Well, we also have a concept motorcycle which borrows heavily from the Confederate models in its design. The RK Racer is - of course - based on a Buell 1200 engine (not sure which one they mean) and it has many sharp edges. See if you think it is any better than what the Louisiana manufacturer (Confederate) produces and take a long look.

http://tinyurl.com/yecbhtm

And, yet another list of concept and prototype motorcycles which the author of the post hopes will one day enter production for sale to us mortals. It is very similar to many others you may have read, but it has plenty of pictures for which you are bound to produce your own drool! Some of these are simply gorgeous!

http://tinyurl.com/ydvcglc

Even More New Year's Eve News from the Moto World

Let's start with some very rare motorcycles for sale...

The blog Rare SportBikes for Sale has listed an incredible collection up for sale. From a classic MV Agusta 850SS to a Ducati 900SS and even a Cagiva Mito! Only some prices are mentioned, but you can expect the very rare ones to sell for somewhere in the 5 to 6 digits - if only I had a trust fund! Please take a look and you might find something you want and can afford...

http://tinyurl.com/ychte3u

We also have a quick note about yet another BMW recall. Almost all models of the F650GS and F800GS - at least those made between January 2008 and January 2009 (which includes model years 2008 - 2010) - are being recalled to fix a stalling problem. Have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/yafnda2

We are also reminded of the 19th Annual MidAmerica Vintage Motorcycle Auction in Las Vegas. It will be held from 7 - 9 January 2010 and will include several machines from all eras of motorcycle production, but with special focus on the 1970's and 1980's Japanese motorcycles. If you can get there, GO!

http://tinyurl.com/ybmavbk

UK eBay Find: 1920's Era Triumph ND Deluxe

This Triumph is a very rare machine indeed. It is a 1920's era ND Deluxe - and it is in the middle of restoration. So, if you can make the purchase, you are already on the way to turning it in to a show bike. At my last look at the entry, it was at £5,000.00 with no bids and the reserve price not met (of course). If you live nearby, this might be your only chance to get your hands on a museum-worthy motorcycle which you can enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/yayxgqs

Live in the U.K. and Want a MV Agusta? This is the Time!

MV Agusta has a huge sale on their 2009 and older machines at your local MV Agusta or multi-brand Italian dealership. They are thousands of £ off of their MSRP and they are paying the VAT for you! If you love these machines as much as I do and you have the financial ability to purchase a motorcycle, this is your chance to own the most beautiful motorcycle in the world!

http://tinyurl.com/yeqr9j2

eBay Find: 1978 Triumph Bonneville T140V Custom Cafe Racer

What a lovely machine this is. It is based on a 1978 Triumph Bonneville T140V and has been lovingly taken care of. The 750c.c. twin engine was rebuilt from the bottom up, it runs all sorts of new parts on the inside, and has a Corbin Gunfighter seat and many other important upgrades on the outside. Just take a look and you are sure to be impressed...It is in Texas and the bidding was sub-US$3,000 the last time I checked.

http://tinyurl.com/yhl4rws

MIC Still Has Open Slots for Revive Your Ride Program

The Motorcycle Industry Council is reminding US motorcycle dealers that there is still time to take advantage of their Revive Your Ride program. There are several ad styles from which you can choose - whatever you believe will drive customers into your dealership or shop. Just get online, sign up, and start bringing in some extra customers during this slowly improving economy.

http://tinyurl.com/yfankvu

Two Very Rare Motorcycles to be Auctioned - Brough Superior SS80

These two historic machines will be auctioned off by H&H Classic Auctions in a few days. Both are Brough Superior SS80 motorcycles, one from 1926 and one from 1930, and both are very rare motorcycles. The 1926 model is pictured here. Cash in your 401(k) and own a piece of history - and some very cool motorcycles!

http://tinyurl.com/yfr44b4

Northern California 1995 Aprilia RS250 For Sale

A true racebike if ever there was one, but this one is street-legal and has only been ridden there. Finding these two-strokes in the US is rather hard to do, so take your chance now while there is a very nice model up for sale! (However, it is priced a little high, so you may want to look closely before you buy.)

http://tinyurl.com/ylo6gak

Must Read: Online Used Motorcycle Scams to Avoid

The topic of this article is something with which even I am familiar - having been lucky enough to catch the scam before any of my own money was lost - and which everyone who is looking to sell of buy a used motorcycle online. They will try everything to get what you have for themselves, so you must be extremely cautious - especially if anything in the linked article happens to you. Read it and make sure you understand it all.

http://tinyurl.com/yzwvv3e

Australia - MV Agusta Extends Maximum Value Sale on Motorcycle Art

That's right, MV Agusta has extended the time of their Maximum Value sale for Down Under. If you are looking for a new MV Agusta - at least, the 2009 models and before - this is the time to buy one in Australia. Some of the prices have been cut some 20%, so do not miss this!

http://tinyurl.com/yghdvth

George White Release Race Replica Line of Motorcycles

The George White Superbikes dealership should be familiar considering their work with Gino Rea in the European Superstock 600 series. They are also very well-known for quality work on race engines in all Japanese marque's engines. They are now launching a special line of bikes which have been 'race-prepped' - painted, modified and customized - for the street. The put all of these special parts from the likes of Yoshimura, Gilles and R&G and they charge nothing for fitting them! The value is huge if you purchase one of these race-replica machines - too bad they are in the U.K. and not worldwide...

http://tinyurl.com/yggx3m2