Moto Morini Dead? Looks Possible Now...

Yep, the bad news is that it seems the deal between Paolo Berlusconi, his New Garelli company, and Moto Morini has fallen apart. The interested parties are blaming the labor unions for this situation, but we will not know the whole truth until we hear from both sides. As it is now, though, there seems to be little hope that Moto Morini will be able to survive as it is. What will likely happen is a bankruptcy, selling of assets and then someone, possibly Berlusconi, will purchase the rights to the name and start all over again...All we can do is hope that Moto Morini will survive somehow...

http://tinyurl.com/23g72f7

HOPE! Hope for Moto Morini - Berlusconi Buys!

Brother to Italian Prime Minister Silvio, Paolo Berlusconi has purchased Moto Morini and may have just saved it from becoming history. This is great news if Mr. Berlusconi is a fan of the marque's heritage and its desire to build its own engines. The word is that a new business plan - and, hopefully, an emergence from bankruptcy - should be in place by the 2010 EICMA show in Milan. Berlusconi also owns Italian marque Garelli and is in serious talks to take over MV Agusta...the plot thickens...

http://tinyurl.com/y3ykd27

MV Agusta Target of a Berlusconi? & BSB Test at Brands Hatch

MV Agusta, as you surely know by now, is up for sale from current owners Harley-Davidson - the marque having some of the worst financial issues in the industry currently - and a group of Italian investors is interested in taking ownership. It turns out that one of those investors in the brother of the Italian Prime Minister; his name is Paolo Berlusconi. Burlusconi already owns one Italian marque, Garelli...

http://tinyurl.com/yg9or3r

The British Superbike Championship will begin in just a few weeks time during the Easter weekend. For now, though, the teams were out at Brands Hatch doing some testing this week. There is not a great deal of detail available as of yet, so take the link below to get an introduction. If I do find more BSB testing information, I will post it here.

http://tinyurl.com/ylso5az

PR from GNS Racing (Supersport): http://tinyurl.com/yfamlmg

PR from Quay Garage (Superbike): http://tinyurl.com/yf23wpt

S1000RR Boosts BMW Sales & BMW Looks for GS Owners

Almost the entire motorcycle industry in the US is now in a very deep depression, but BMW is not mired in that mess. The BMW S1000RR has since arrived in the States and is selling incredibly well. This has really improved sales for BMW here and it continues to go well for the German marque. The S1000RR is a revolutionary machine, so it is not that surprising as there are still people with money out there...they are just very careful about what they spend their money on. The S1000RR is worth it!

http://tinyurl.com/y8gmkx8

The BMW GS motorcycles are made to go anywhere you want to take them - and they often do. In the UK, a new race series has come about called the BMW Motorrad GS Trophy UK Qualifier. This will put riders through a severely tough course with the three top riders progressing to the International GS Trophy Finals in November of this year. BMW Motorrad UK, Simon Pavey and the BMW Off-Road Skills School have worked together for this purpose. For all the details - and a better description - please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lt2lo

Ducati NA Offers Class with Polen & New Ducati Ambassador Scott McGregor

Ducati North America is offering riders who purchase a 2009 or 2010 Ducati sportbike a chance to ride with World Superbike Champion Doug Polen at his Doug Polen 1-on-1 Riders School at one of twelve US circuits. It's a very good promotion as this will give you a chance to get the most out of your brand new Italian motorcycle. Plus, Polen is a very nice and down-to-earth guy who knows how to ride very, very well. If you pick the new 848 Dark, you also get a limited edition Swiss watch. For more, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ybecr

In Australia, a rather popular male model and actor has become the next Ducati Ambassador. Scott McGregor went to Ducati City to pick up his 2010 Streetfighter on Monday, 15 March. He will ride the bike all over Melbourne and appear at many events with the motorcycle. Goof for him!

http://tinyurl.com/ybv2t6r

Harley-Davidison Is a Take-Over Target, Maybe & Aaron Gobert Races at Home

Given their lackluster sales, seriously declining profits, and issues with their employees, Harley-Davidson may be the target of a takeover bid. Private equity concern Kohlberg Kravis Roberts could be looking to pursue a leveraged buyout of the Motor Company. The stock market is thinking this will happen late this month or in April, based on their stock purchases. It could mark another turning point for the company that only recently was doing so well they went on a buying spree. I guess they should have saved their money, or maybe paid their executives a little more reasonably instead of giving themselves all 'golden parachutes'...Too bad the company has no concept of time!

http://tinyurl.com/yjjzt4h

Aaron Gobert is returning to Australia to race in the Australian Supersport Championship. Since the US AMA series is in dire straights financially and there is little factory support in the series, he could not land a ride in a series in which he actually has a championship season - and a decent record. Thus, he will be riding a Yamaha YZF-R6 which will actually be supported with help from Graves Motorsport, Gobert's former team. The ultimate destination for him is to ride the Aprilia RSV-4 for KWS Motorsports.

http://tinyurl.com/yj6kj73

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

Rumor: Ducati and Piaggio May Merge!

With the economy still in the toilet, Ducati and Piaggio both are still feeling the sting of lower sales of both bikes and licensed accessories - few people have enough money to buy anything. Add that to the rumors of a possible sale of the Piaggio Group of motorcycle and scooter manufacturers and you get this rumor: Ducati and Piaggio to merge. It is nowhere near confirmed, but it could mark a point where the Italian motorcycle industry can grow and may actually be able to compete with the Japanese (and British and American) on their terms. So, stay tuned and we will see if this comes to fruition or is forgotten by history.

http://tinyurl.com/ylaa5lv

http://tinyurl.com/yfc6oho

More Afternoon Moto News - Livia Lancelot & Euro Gossip

Livia Lancelot is a female motocross rider who has reached the highest level of competition - the World Championship Female Motocross and has the 2009 title as well! From France, Lancelot has been racing since 1992 and has competed in the USA and Europe before entering the WMX series in 2005. She is worth a look if you are trying to find the leaders of today's women racers...or just an awesome motorcycle rider!

http://tinyurl.com/ycptdqp

Yep, we have another 'Euro Gossip' column from our friends at MotorcycleUSA. There is some wrapping up of other stories we have seen floating around in the ether(net) and there are some new stories as well. Most of the information you will probably already know - if you have been paying attention to this blog. So, just take the link and scan around to find the information you want to read.

http://tinyurl.com/y88w5qj

More Morning Moto News - MCI Celebrates 100 Years & MotoGP Rookies Cup

The Motor Cycle Industry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and they are letting it be known that motorcycling provides some 3 billion British Pounds in added value to the UK. Of course, they plan on keeping up their best work and improving on other programs with the main goal to protect, promote and expand the motorcycle industry in the United Kingdom. Give them a hand by taking the link and getting more detail on what is planned this year!

http://tinyurl.com/yagf6zy

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has started to accept applications now for the 2010 selection season (for competition in the Cup in 2011). If you are young enough or know someone who is - get them to head on over and fill out an application for the series. Of course, there are expenses to worry about, but a chance at becoming a World Champion motorcycle racer is worth a great deal to a great many people. Take the link and get your details!

http://tinyurl.com/yf8wgha

Monday Afternoon Moto News - IronHorse Auction Date Set & Honda VFR1200F Sales

We probably all heard that American IronHorse has closed and its assets will be offered at auction by a liquidation specialist. Well, they have finally set a date for the auction itself - bids may be entered on items in the auction up until 17:00 (local time) 19 March 2010 and the auction will be taking place in New York City on 23 March 2010. All trademarks will be up for sale as well as the entire builder's shop (tools, patents, motorcycles, motorcycle parts, etc.). For all of the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yl3lowt

In the UK, the Honda VFR1200F became the top-selling motorcycle in the nation during the month of February. This comes at the expense of critics there which pretty much panned the new sport-tourer from the team at Honda - MCN(UK) called it a serious let-down and not worth the asking price. Given the competition, it was not exactly un-called for - the VFR needs a little more high-tech equipment to really unseat such tourers as the BMW models, Ducati's Multistrada and even the Guzzi Stelvio ABS. But, the buyers seem happy enough...and Honda is the one laughing its way to the bank...

http://tinyurl.com/y8ak7c9

Saturday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta 0% & Aprilia Cheating(?)

MV Agusta UK has a deal you cannot pass up. Purchase any new model of the MV Agusta Brutale - 990R or 1090RR - and you will get either 0, 2, or 3 % interest! Take the link to learn the rest of the details and then get to your MV dealer ASAP!

http://tinyurl.com/yjabuj3

In the most recent round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, the Aprilia factory team chose to test out some gear-driven cams versus the stock machines chain-driven cams. This is allowed in the rules, but certain conditions must be met first. This will probably not cost Aprilia points, but a decision may force them to race with chain-driven cams like on the streetgoing version of the bike.

http://tinyurl.com/ygsqh6v

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

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Husqvarna Story & Phillip Island WSBK

Husqvarna nearly died while under the control of Cagiva, but instead the marque is on its way back to its historic importance in the dirt-racing world. Cagiva did do some great work getting the company solvent again within the last five or six years, and that was enough to interest BMW. So, the Germans have taken the reigns and done some awesome work to the Husky products and they are selling everywhere now...how did this all happen, well take the link and read the story.

http://tinyurl.com/ylbftbl

The Phillip Island circuit in Australia has signed up with the World Superbike Championship to host an event there until 2014. Also, the track will be the location of pre-season tests for the next two seasons. Of course, this was expected, but it is always nice to have confirmation.

http://tinyurl.com/yj5rafw

More Afternoon Moto News - New Norton, Motorcycle Safety & Allstate Giveaway

The new Norton Motorcycles will begin producing their Norton Commando 961 in England. Of course, we all know that the original design was penned by American Kenny Dreer, but it is Stuart Garner who had the resources to finally get the marque back in the business of making machines of lust. The first 50 Nortons should get to the US this year - that's a good thing when you consider how long many of these people have been waiting for their 2010 Commando.

http://tinyurl.com/y9zfewc

The California Highway Patrol is pushing a message of looking out for motorcyclists all across the state. Of course, the target audience is auto and truck drivers (mostly auto) drivers. The MSF is quite happy about this work as you would expect - and we should all thank the CHP for the effort. It is better than being ignored as we are in other states...

http://tinyurl.com/yhz7qo8

Through a press release, the Allstate insurance company has announced a special giveaway. One lucky winner will win a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle designed by legendary bike builder Dave Perewitz. It will be revealed on 19 February (I will update this post at that time) and will be a Pro Street style machine. To enter the "Allstate Pro Street Sweepstakes" please take the link to the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y8udajk

More Afternoon Moto News - Electric Motorcycles & Asian Motocross Championship Series

First up, we have a report on what experts believe will be the sales volume of electric motorcycles. The word is that they expect some 466,000,000 to be on the road by the year 2016. It is a very interesting read and it is a good read for someone interested in forecasting the future of our industry. Of course, there are still the doubters - in fact, someone recently called the "green movement" and electric motorcycles a fad! What an idiot!

http://tinyurl.com/yj64yqc

In the Philippines, at the Sta. Monica International Racetrack in Puerto Princesa City (Palawan), the 2010 FIM Asian Motocross Championship Series will start on 21 February 2010. This is the seventh straight start at this location and it will bring out the best motocross riders from all over eastern Asia. The rules are a little different there, but it is very much worth following!

http://tinyurl.com/yazltbb

MORE Afternoon Moto News - First Multistrada & Fast by Ferracci Teams W/ Doug Polen

The very first 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 has come off the production line - about time! The first model was an Ohlins-equipped S model, which should reach dealerships by April (though, not sure if that means Europe, USA or everywhere). The base model will be available shortly after that in May.

http://tinyurl.com/yjoqong

The first 20 people to purchase a Ducati superbike from Fast by Ferracci will not only get a special track day event at New Jersey Motorsports Park (16 August 2010), but they will also get help from VIP, and former FbF racer, Doug Polen. Polen will work with each of the 20 lucky fans to setup their bike for the track - he will be their personal technician. For all the details, see the press release.

http://tinyurl.com/yz2tvtn

More Afternoon Moto News - Yamaha Slashes 1000 Jobs & Ducshop Racing

Yamaha Motor Company is having to take further cuts to their workforce due to their continuing financial woes - due to the worldwide recession. These lay-offs actually include the earlier announcement of 800 job cuts in Japan, but they are also taking 200 more away from their foreign operations. Yamaha will also close 12 parts factories in Shizuoka prefecture. Let's hope that their sales pick up this year and they can hire back some of the people they are losing now.

http://tinyurl.com/yevjnbm

Ducshop Racing will be fielding two Ducati 848 motorcycles in the 2010 AMA Pro Racing Daytona SportBike class. Their two riders will be Jake Holden and Ducati test rider Dario Marchetti. Of course, they are using many products from their own catalog to improve the bikes, but the rules only allow so much. They will be in Daytona for the Daytona 200 race weekend and will be participating in all race activities.

http://tinyurl.com/ykfl2zc

Thursday Afternoon Moto News - Mission Motors & Foggy-Petronas FP1

Mission Motors has delayed the first deliveries of their Mission One electric superbike until the second quarter of 2011; it was originally supposed to ship at the end of 2010. This is another issue which comes to us courtesy of the Bush economic policies which led to this recession. It is sad news to hear, but they should be able to recover. They are also planning a down-market model of the Mission One which will be known as the Mission Two.

http://tinyurl.com/ye4b5ou

A huge store of Foggy-Petronas FP1 motorcycles has been discovered in Essex (UK). The ill-fated attempt at taking on the world with these machines - which were supposed to be put into full production in Malaysia back in the day - is well-known by most of us. Carl Fogarty was the man behind this effort, but they just could not keep the machine in the points, even with all of that experience. It would be nice if they auctioned these off just so we could own a piece of road racing history, but they will likely end up in some wealthy idiot's garage somewhere...

http://tinyurl.com/yjeo42p

Thursday Morning Moto News - Air Asia Deal, BMW Dealers & Simon Andrews

Air Asia's founder, Tony Fernandes, is hopeful that the sponsorship deal with the British Grand Prix and his sponsorship of Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin in the 125GP class will lead to great things. Fernandes is seeing his company improve and get better and the idea behind his sponsorship of the racing world is that it will bring more attention to his low-cost airline. Here's hoping it works out great as it would benefit everyone touched by the deal and many more...


http://tinyurl.com/ya7y5s5

Get this - even though the economy is still in bad shape, BMW Motorrad managed to open eight (8) new dealerships in the USA. All of them have been opened in the last five months. Given that their sales figures have shown that they have been the least hit by this recession in the industry, it does make some sense. They want to be there when things start getting better again...and that is not bad business.

http://tinyurl.com/yayxoh4

BSB star Simon Andrews will be commuting by bus to each of the rounds in that series. It seems that he has run afoul of the law; he managed three driving offences which led him to have his driver's license revoked. He may also spend up to six months in jail! For more, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yexafkt