2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200S Ride & Motocorse Monster 1100 Titanium!

Here we ave another impression on the new Ducati Multistrada 1200. The odd aura around this machine seems to be holding back the big mag reviews. Must be waiting to sell some serious ads; that makes sense. This is a first impression of the Multistrada S model - the one I want - and it is a bit short. However, it is a nice rational look at this beast. Take the link and read it for yourself. (You already know that the author will drool over this of all bikes.)

http://tinyurl.com/yebczap

This comes right out of Japan and Italy; the new machine of the moment from the brilliant folks at Motocorse have produced a rather severely beautiful and light Ducati Monster 1100. It is tricked out with all of their best kit and is loaded with titanium (obviously) and carbon fibre - saving nearly 29 lb. of weight. Put these Japanese artists to work with the Italian artists and the work of Motocorse is what you get - abject beauty. Take the link and learn the rest of the specs. No price has yet been announced, but if you have to ask...

http://tinyurl.com/y8z7vyp

Jerry Romano’s Square Norton & 2010 Kawasaki ZX-10R Review

You really have to take a look at this machine. Jerry Romano has managed to fit an Ariel Square Four into a Norton Featherbed frame. Just the fact that he massaged the engine into the frame speaks volumes about his skill with motorcycles. This is one of the most incredible customs to come along in a while - it even looks factory-made. The 997cc Ariel Square Four engine is the design of Triumph legend Edward Turner and is a classic all by itself...take the link and be impressed!

http://tinyurl.com/yarjtc9

The 2010 Kawasaki ZX-10R has finally been ridden for the press. It is mostly unchanged, but they did alter the bodywork to more closely resemble the ZX-6R and to make the bike appear to be much lighter - even if the weight is still the same. It certainly looks sharper! The turn signals are a bit of an acquired taste, though. However, the bike is even smoother than last year and it will really tear up a track! Take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yhk7cxz

First Modified 2010 Honda CB1100 Released from Mugen

Mugen may or may not be familiar to you, but they are very closely related to Honda's automotive and motorcycle divisions (Mugen was started by Mr. Honda's son). They have produced a modified 2010 CB1100 to show the products they have available for the new retro-mod motorcycle and it looks good. Take a look and then hope that you may one day get to purchase one of these in the USA or UK...

http://tinyurl.com/ycy74tl

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

A Swedish Dealer Finds Honda NR750 and RC30 in Crates!

It's true, but very hard to believe...A Honda dealership in Sweden found two unknown crates lurking in the back of their storage area. It turns out that they had their hands on - never un-crated and in perfect showroom condition - a NR750 oval-piston and a hand-built RC30. The video after the link shows the dealer prep work being done. As far as anyone knows, they will be put on the showroom floor as exhibits. Too bad, those things need to be ridden!

http://tinyurl.com/y9w5trc

Yamaha and DC Branded Bikes & Yamaha Details the 2010 FZ8

The collaboration between leading sportswear company DC and Yamaha Motor has yielded some special edition TT-R125 and YZ250F motorcycles. They, apparently, will be given away in contests of some sort and will be on display in select DC stores and Yamaha dealers around the US. The deal will give both brands more exposure and will certainly add to Yamaha's cache when the bikes are seen in DC retail locations...

http://tinyurl.com/ya6kr6d

Well, the photos broke cover long before they were supposed to, but that did nothing but increase the public's interest in the new 2010 Yamaha FZ8. We know that it will be a bike made for the twisties and the urban jungle, and that it looks very sweet from just about any angle. Now we know the technical specifications behind the beast and they are only a link away...

http://tinyurl.com/yelhmog

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Oberdan Bezzi & Dirico Motorcycles

Designer Oberdan Bezzi has worked with the great motorcycle marques - Ducati, Cagiva, Aprilia, Benelli and Moto Guzzi - during his time. And, it is very likely that you have seen some of his sketches on various motorcycle websites and in many magazines. He is a very creative and makes some designs which demonstrate perfectly the passion he has for motorcycles - just look through them! For a quick interview, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yaw3lgz

Dirico Motorcycles has teamed up with Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler to create three Aerosmith 'Dream On' Pro-Street custom motorcycles for the Ohio Lottery. Each will be emblazoned with Aerosmith logos and the signatures of the entire band. They will be given away in a special scratch-and-win lottery game in Ohio. For all the details, please take the link and get your tickets when they are available!

http://tinyurl.com/y8brvz5

More Morning Moto News - Aaron Zanotti & eBay Cafe Racer

Aaron Zanotti is getting ready to tackle the 2010 British Superbike Championship Evo Class. However, he severed ties with his former race team, Red Viper Racing, and is looking to taking on the series as a privateer. But, he has yet to get the sponsorship he needs to take his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to the track. It's always about money...

http://tinyurl.com/yfhktgn

This machine is famous - and you have certainly seen it in some moto magazine somewhere. It is the Carpy Honda CB750 Cafe, and it is one of a kind. Of course, the people offering it up for sale on eBay are quite proud of the machine and seem to have added some extra value simply due to the bike's popularity. However, it does appear that anyone who has thrown a leg over on this one has enjoyed it very much. Take a look and, if you have US$25,000 or more, it could be yours.

http://tinyurl.com/yz6659c

More Afternoon Moto News - Troy Lee Designs and Chad McQueen

Troy Lee Designs has signed on with Chad McQueen to create McQueen Racing. The company will produce performance parts by working with top designers, engineers and designers. McQueen's new partnership will also support the TLD racing effort. They will also produce several limited-edition custom project bikes end even special parts to be sold in very limited quantities. For more information, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yd2jxwm

Friday Night Extra - Suzuki Hydrogen (FC) Powered Burgman Scooter

It actually runs and it does quite well as an inner city commuter - especially since it is one of very few like it in the known Universe and the technology is almost brand new. It sure would be nice if we could make hydrogen easily and without causing more pollution. The full review will be out in the MCN (UK) issue of next week. For now, we only get a soundbite or two, but it is something completely new. Good for you Suzuki and your sweet Burgman scooter!

http://tinyurl.com/yd4oosb

Even more on this soon-to-be-yours scooter: http://tinyurl.com/yfa4w34

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

Tuesday Evening Moto News - Norton 880 Monoshock Cafe Racer

This is a rather short one, but very interesting. Paul Zuniga decided to build a Norton similar to the one Kenny Dreer originally designed as the Norton rebirth. His Norton has a single-shock rear end and inverted Kawasaki forks. It will have an 880c.c. over-bored Norton twin in it as soon as he is finished. But, now it looks just fine as it is. It looks very good and it starts my mind to wandering...

http://tinyurl.com/ya7qtuq

Even More Afternoon Moto News - Zero Motorcycles, Honda Design and a Concept Ducati

Zero Motorcycles will be displaying its Zero S all-electric motorcycle at the Go Green Expo in Los Angeles. It will be held at the LA Convention Center this weekend. If you want to test ride a Zero S, you can sign up on their website (on the linked page), but you had better hurry! The Go Green Expo will also have plenty of other interesting displays and even discussion panels with various celebrities on hand.

http://tinyurl.com/yb5t6km

We also get an inside look at the motorcycle design process at Honda. Specifically, designer Martin Manchester, who works for Honda R&D Americas, is interviewed here and the focus is his own work on the Honda Shadow Spirit 750 C2. It is not often that we get to see this deep within the company, and it will not be the last (I have something cooking right now for another publication).

http://tinyurl.com/yl6yzfx

They are calling it the Ducati Hypermono, well 'it' does not work well for this, it is more like 'them'. There are four variations on the theme, which was inspired by the beautiful street-legal Supermono Strada prepared by Alistair Wager. These machines were designed and built by sak_art design and may or may not be for sale at some point. Check them out...

http://tinyurl.com/y8l3v3r

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Design, Ninja 650R & Chad Reed

The man responsible for the jaguar-themed motorcycle custom - you remember it, it's the one with a huge faux jaguar body as the frame - Barend Massow Hemmes, is at it again. His next project, which is part of the same concept, is a bull. A very red bull acts as the frame and the forks with a seat tacked on to the bull's ass. Take a look. At least he is thinking creatively!

http://tinyurl.com/ydm7mxt

Now, we also finally get our hands on a riding impression of the 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 650R. The bike is billed as an entry-level machine for beginning riders, but it is also a light and quick canyon bomber for experienced riders. There are many changes to this machine, and all of them work towards making it an even better motorcycle. For the full review and some great photos, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yexcbqu

We also hear that AMA Supercross star, and Monster Kawasaki's lead rider, Chad Reed has broken his hand. He will be out of the series for up to six weeks! The incident happened at the Phoenix round when James Stewart and him collided in the race. This is not good news for the sport as he is one of, if not the, best racers out there now.

http://tinyurl.com/ydr2f9r

Late Monday Moto News - Classic Motorcycle Festival and GSX-R750

The 31st Annual New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Festival will be held in Pukekohe during 6 - 7 February 2010. Over 250 riders and over 350 motorcycles of various vintage all in one place for only two days! Where do I get my tickets? Unfortunately, it is a long way from me, but you might be able to make it. Paul Smart and Stan Woods will definitely be in attendance - not to mention the famous Rudge, very popular pre-World War II marque in NZ. Just take the link; too much to write here.

http://tinyurl.com/y99ynt6

And, it is now getting close to time for you to put in your reservation for the 25th Anniversary version of the venerable Suzuki GSX-R750. It is a nice - and interesting looking - paint scheme plus some minor mods, but only 25 will be made by Suzuki GB. Get there early or don't get one. It is the first in a line of limited edition motorcycles coming out from the U.K. subsidiary due out to celebrate the...can you guess...25th anniversary of the GSX-R series. Have a peek...

http://tinyurl.com/yldmwf6

Tuesday Afternoon Moto Design News - Custom Builds, New Wheels and More

A well-to-do kid helps out his family business, moves to a new town and then sets about pursuing his dream. It does help that he had the backing of his parents, but his ideas are good. Tony Johns opened Motorcycles of Bend in 2006. He lets customers purchase their bikes in parts and then assembles them in his shop. It is the only shop of its kind in the Oregon city of Bend. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/yehhb82

Along the same lines, but with a more environmental bent, is a new design from Lawless Motorcycles. It is a hybrid motorcycle which allows the rider to switch from full electric to gas-power as needed or wanted. This is the bike which Orange County Choppers was building with help from Schneider Electric. It will be revealed on national television later this week. For more information, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ye34vuj

http://tinyurl.com/yk322fb

Next on this list is another air-powered motorcycle design. This one is from Matthew Perez, a Mechanical Operations Technician for the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and he calls it the AirHead. It will do about 20 miles and the air is contained in four standard SCUBA tanks.

http://tinyurl.com/yzuogxd

Now there is yet another new creation from the tire geniuses at Michelin. They have two versions called the Active Wheel and Motor Wheel. The Motor Wheel contains one motor which is used for propulsion, and the Active Wheel has two motors, one for propulsion and one for suspension. So far, both Peugeot and Renault are testing with it currently. Of course, the interesting aspect of this to us is the motorcycle designed by Keegan McClain of Lafayette, LA. Take a look to see the future of transport.

http://tinyurl.com/yz9equ4

Cool Story Out of Lebanon - Firefighting Motorcycle

Actually, it is more of a scooter, but it is set up to fight fires in the historic coastal town of Sidon. They decided to take this route because so many of the streets in Sidon are ancient - maybe even based on thousands-of-years-old walking or horse paths - and thus are very narrow. Their firetrucks cannot get through and several fires have done extensive damage because of that fact. So, the Islamic Welfare Association (ISWA) has helped the city purchase and equip a scooter and trailer with the necessary gear to help squelch fires before they get too serious. It's a great idea that many other municipalities should think about for their own fire departments.

http://tinyurl.com/ydrr8yd

Thursday Morning Moto News Part 3 - General News

First up is a list - complete with photos - of some of the most extreme and insane motorcycles ever built. Though most of them are prototypes or concept vehicles, many are also production and could have been purchased after they were built. However, some of them are just simply insane. Either way, you are bound to find something which gets your heart pumping! (Mind you, though, that some choices here you will not agree with.)

http://tinyurl.com/ybfjddz

Husaberg brings you highlights of the 2009 ISDE in Figueira da Foz in Portugal. The videos are posted to YouTube and they are all about the Husaberg riders, so take the link and enjoy.

http://tinyurl.com/yb39lcy

Now we hear that Kenny Eggers has passed away at the age of 80 - natural causes, they say. He was part of the "BSA Wrecking Crew" from 1950's era racing in the US. He took fifth place in the Grand National Series opener at Daytona, riding a BSA Shooting Star. That launched him into fame as every racer who finished in front of him was also on a BSA. He will be remembered as a great racer, a talented builder and an all-around nice guy.

http://tinyurl.com/y9g3klk

Three Excellent Customs from 2009

Yep, a short post for a change.

This one deals with a follow-up to the least reliable motorcycles of 2009. It is the best customs of 2009. This includes the ever-present NCR and another Ducati which they have customized. It also includes a BMW custom known as the SE Service Harrier, which looks nothing like a comfortable long-distance tourer. And, finally, we have a 125c.c. Cagiva Mito which gains an impressive 75 hp over its stock 15 hp to become the (pictured here) Scorpion Performance Cagiva Mito - a small motorcycle with the power of a beast!

http://tinyurl.com/yga3lz5

Mid-Day Thursday News - Christmas Eve Edition

Yep, it's already more than halfway through Christmas Eve now and there is some news...

First of all, the usual drama of Orange County Choppers is getting even more complex. Paul Teutul, Sr., is suing his son over some stock options and it gets more complicated the further you dig. This family is mostly motivated by $$$, though, so this could be more than just a publicity stunt.

http://tinyurl.com/ybrf2lt

An article on the MV Agusta F4-1000R and its stature in the motorcycling world. It is a bike which many dream to own, thus making it a true 'dream machine'. Many feel they are lucky just getting to take one around a track, and it is a bike worthy of that praise.

http://tinyurl.com/ydofxrq

We also have an interview with one of the more original builders in the custom chopper market. Mark Daley of Thunder Struck Custom Bikes is interviewed and his company's history discussed in this piece and I highly recommend that you head on over and have a look. It's nice to see that someone can move beyond the standard chopper silhouette and into creativity. His Sniper bike (shown here) won the 2009 Las Vegas Bikefest...

http://tinyurl.com/ye8auay




It is from a forum, but we also have an interview with Tim Prentice of the 2010 Triumph Thunderbird design. He is an American who work on the new model with Triumph engineers in the U.K. Considering the impact of this new cruiser in the motorcycle industry, it is a great chance to learn more from a great designer!

http://tinyurl.com/ydtj3lk

There is also a great design idea from Australian Dan Anderson of what he calls the Triumph Bobbeville. It is a customized Bonneville which looks fantastic and really pulls together the post-war bobber movement into out time. The bike is very well built and I bet it would be a great ride!

http://tinyurl.com/yc8y6xe