Breaking News: KTM Will Go Electric & Jeff Ward Joins AMA Pro Racing

KTM has announced that they will be showing two electric motorcycles at the Tokyo Motor Show next week. They even leaked obscure photos of the machine - much like Honda's VFR1200F, Ducati's Multistrada 1200, etc. Anyway, it is very sweet to hear that the orange Austrian marque will actually consider producing electric enduro and supermoto models. If they produce them, I guarantee they will sell with the one caveat being the price. Take a look and watch for more Tokyo Motor Show news...

http://tinyurl.com/yzmkzm6

It has also been announced that Jeff Ward, a nine-time AMA Pro Racing Champion in motocross, supercross and supermoto, will be joining AMA Pro Racing as a rider liaison and advisor. The man is a living legend. He is in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, he competed in IRL events including the Indianapolis 500 - where he was voted Rookie of the Year - and it goes on like this...He will be a very valuable asset to both riders and the AMA Pro Racing owners, Daytona Motorsports Group. Maybe he can bring back some legitimacy...

http://tinyurl.com/ykqk6ke

Thursday Morning Moto News - 2010 MV Agusta F4 & Aprilia SXV 5.5

Finally, we get word of a story on the new 2010 MV Agusta F4 which does not simply discuss how much the new model resembles the previous version. It is obvious that MV would not want to take too much away from the brilliant Tamburini design - who would? But, this new model is much more advanced than even the most recent version of the previous F4 series. This is only a first look, but it is informative...

http://tinyurl.com/yazedtk

The new 2010 Aprilia SXV 5.5 is rolling off the production lines and should be at a dealer near you soon. It is a lovely beast carrying over all the sweet bits from the previous model, but it has also been improved in many areas. The writer of the linked piece really sees it as it is - a Supermoto race machine dressed up in street-bike clothing. It is no secret that one of these will someday take up space in my garage.

http://tinyurl.com/ycdfqas

Caleb Barretto Takes GIRMAC 2009 Supermoto Racing Series Title

The GIRMAC 2009 Supermoto Racing Series is ten rounds long and takes place at circuits all over the island of Guam. This was also the inaugural year for this series. Caleb Barretto, then, becomes the first person to win the Open class title in the series. There are other classes which also wrapped up, so you should take the link and see what else happened this weekend in the series.

http://tinyurl.com/ydtzre4

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 Coming to US Dealers This Weekend

According to several reports, Ducati will have their 2010 Hypermotard 796 in its US dealerships by this weekend (18 - 20 December 2009, in case you do not see the date at the end of this post). That means that it will be available just in time for Christmas - but, it missed Hanukkah. No matter your faith, your motorcycle passion can be fulfilled by heading out to your local Ducati shop today or tomorrow.

http://tinyurl.com/ygjv285

http://tinyurl.com/yfvhsz4

Australian Supermoto Champion Angus Reekie's Comeback

Reekie is Australian Supermoto S2 Champion and finished in second place in S1 - not bad for a guy who had not been on a supermoto bike for almost 12 months. He even took a side trip to the US and competed in a huge event where he took fifth place against some of the world's best racers. His future seems to look bright - now, if he can only stay healthy, he might make it to another series if that is what he wants.

http://tinyurl.com/ylgg723

GoldenTyre Becomes Spec Tire for FIM SuperMoto World Championship

All teams in the 2010 FIM SuperMoto World Championship will be riding on GoldenTyre rubber. Not sure if this is something everyone expected or if GoldenTyre has been there since the series went to one-brand control tire rules. In either case, the Italian tire company is well-respected in the industry and should continue to provide great shoes for the bikes in that championship.

http://tinyurl.com/ydmuo3v

Second Look: 2010 Kawasaki KLX250SF - Video

The all new KLX250SF is Kawasaki's answer to the lightweight supermoto class - and they seem to have done it very right at first glance. The ride testing will come soon - as this is our second time to be updated on this bike - I am sure, but for now we can see that Kawasaki really put some thought into the design of this specific machine. I truly hope it works as well/good as it looks!

http://tinyurl.com/yhdovv7

First Ride: 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO + EVO SP + Video

So, yes this is another post about the 2010 Hypermotard EVO, but this one also includes a bit about the Hypermotard EVO SP as well! Ducati made some serious improvements to the Hyper for 2010 which make it superior to previous versions of the beast. The new models have better ergonomics, smoother response, a little more power, and are a bit lighter. The real news here, in my opinion, is that this is a great deal closer to what should have been released in 2008. If only they would include a larger fuel tank...

http://tinyurl.com/yzt3nku

MCN (UK) on Hypermotard EVO SP: http://tinyurl.com/yht3ecg

The 2009 Suzuki International Tri-Series at Wanganui’s Cemetery Circuit

Apparently, there are several entries this year and the competition will be very tough for anyone showing up at the race. The 2009 edition of the Suzuki Tri-Series will distribute over NZ$25,000. There are also over 250 racers competing for the purse at the historic New Zealand Wanganui Cemetery Circuit. Classes such as Supermoto and F1 will bring together riders from all over the world - with focus on New Zealand, Australians, some riders from the U.K. and even some Americans. Expect a good race weekend!

http://tinyurl.com/yfvhepl

First Look: 2010 Beta Motor Company Offerings

Not too much here, but the best coverage I have found on the 2010 Betas. They will produce their usual mix of enduro, supermoto and dual-sport categories, which will have one of a 400, 450, or 525c.c. engine at its heart. Pricing has also been released. Of course, they are all still powered by KTM. But, with their Build Your Own Beta (BYOB) program, you can configure one of 60 different combinations of parts and accessories for your own personal Beta motorcycle. Pretty neat, eh?

http://tinyurl.com/y8vr6hz

First Look: 2010 Moto Morini Granferro 1200

It is a different type of supermoto machine - more similar to the Hypermotard than to a DR-Z400SM. It has a large 1187c.c. V-twin engine, like most of the Moto Morini motorcycles of the here and now. It is also one fun ride! Morini designer Rodolfo Frascoli is responsible for the look of the machine and he did an excellent job on the nice lines and very aggressive stance of the Granferro. Since Morini is in trouble, this is a machine which you should buy - at least, that's how you can justify purchasing such a lustful Italian steed to your friends and family...

http://tinyurl.com/yf3h4nd

South Africa's National SuperMoto Championship Series Wrap-Up

The last race is over and the championship is decided; Michael Kok took first place overall with Brian Capper in second. But, this was the first season for Riaan Neveling to be riding the Aprilia SXV - and he ended the year in a solid third place. He started the season very well by winning the first race, but then ran into several problems leaving him in fourth place going into the last event of the season. There, he managed to have an awesome weekend giving him the third place ranking. Neveling will continue into 2010 with the Aprilia, and that means that he has a chance to win it all.

http://tinyurl.com/yjn5vys

PR: 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO

Well, I know that many people will be interested in reading about the changes to the 2010 Hypermotard, so here they are. It is more powerful, more comfortable, sleeker and lighter; so, it is better overall. This, of course, is the low-spec model and the high-spec will be known as the SP in 2010. Have a look and decide if you want one yourself - I certainly would not mind! Keep in mind that this is a Press Release from Ducati.

http://tinyurl.com/y8kj43l

Husqvarna Motorcycles Debuts Several 2010 Models

First out of the box comes the TE630 street-legal enduro motorcycle (pictured). It is a well-designed machine which is supposed to fit into a category which includes riders who want practicality, good design, comfort and enjoy a race or two. Talk about a broad market segment, eh? Anyway, the all new design will have a 600c.c. DOHC single powering it along with the SM630 supermoto machine also debuted here. The other supermoto models are the SM450 and SM510, both of which are based on the same displacement enduro bikes made by Husqvarna. Take a look and you will not be disappointed. Husky is leading the supermoto world.

http://tinyurl.com/ygjnbth

Mavizen MAY be Developing TTX03 Electric Supermoto Motorcycle

It turns out that an announced electric supermoto class to run along with the TTXGP - which I must have missed - may be bringing Mavizen (owned by the man behind the TTXGP at the Isle of Man TT, Azhar Hussain) into the electric supermoto motorcycle business. As ZERO Motorcycles is the only electric motorcycle company producing a supermoto-spec electric bike, it is odd that a class would be created with only one supplier. So, some words leaked from Mavizen and the creation of that class help make the TTX03 seem realistic.

http://tinyurl.com/ybysa7q

British Supermoto Championship Season Finale at Kirkistown, N. Ireland

The season in British Supermoto will end at a rather unusual race in Northern Ireland at the Kirkistown circuit. This is due to the P & O Winter series joining the British series at the same venue for the weekend. Almost every Irish supermoto racer will be in attendance and you may even find some World Superbike or TT riders running on the track as well. If you can get there, go!

http://tinyurl.com/yhldxck

First Look: 2010 Moto Morini Grand Motard (V12M01)

These are the first pictures and a bit of information about the new model from Moto Morini - there actually is no confirmation of what model year or what exactly it will be called. So, for now we only know that it is a supermoto-like version of the Granpasso which will also have a much upgraded version of their 1187c.c. 87° V-twin engine. It is said to make 127 HP! It will be at EICMA in Milan.

http://tinyurl.com/yhke664

Ducati to Improve Hypermotard 1100 for 2010

They say that the Hypermotard 796 was just a warm-up of sorts - to the public, at least - for the 2010 Hypermotard 1100. If you looked closely at the 796 you would have seen some interesting design differences between it and the current Hypermotard 1100 model. The 796 even handled better than the 1100. That will change when Ducati releases the 2010 1100 model at EICMA in Milan as the new model has improved frame for strength, more power, and better handlebars among other changes...

http://tinyurl.com/yhn7btc

Ducati also promises even more new models to be released at the Milan show, but not much is in the linked article beyond what we already know: http://tinyurl.com/ykzqgf4

Guam International Raceway Hosts GIRMAC Supermoto Race Series

Now, I have to say that I have not heard of this series before, but they sure take racing just a seriously as every other national-level racing group. The Supermoto race was held in the parking lot at the Guam International Raceway - the lot was transformed for the event. Kawasaki-mounted Caleb Barretto took victory at what is the 8th event in the series; and Gener Lumbre took the win on his Kawasaki in the Minibikes class.

http://tinyurl.com/yjybbfu

2010 Kawasaki KLX250SF First Look

The new Kawasaki KLX250SF is their new light-weight supermoto machine based on the KLX250S dual-sport. It only weighs 302lbs (137kg) and runs 17" wheels with sticky rubber as most supermotos do. This will be one of the smallest bikes of its kind in production now. Can it be more fun to ride! Yes, it can on this motorcycle!

http://tinyurl.com/yjd9qbp