Honda Goes to Dakar in 2013!

Will Big Red be able to conquer the Dakar as they did the Baja and many other grueling endurance events the world over? They lost out at the Baja 500 this year for the first time in 15 years to an upstart Kawasaki team (not really - the THR Monster Team was very strong as evidenced by the results), but Team Green does not yet have a factory-backed bike in the Dakar and it is Honda after 23 years away. It will be an interesting few months as we hear more from Honda about their Dakar 2013 machine.

We know the team, though: Helder Rodrigues, from Portugal, motocross and enduro rider Felipe Zanol of Brazil, Sam Sunderland from the United Kingdom and Javier Pizzolito of Argentina. For a little more have a quick read here:

http://tinyurl.com/6rgstwk

Daimler AG to Produce "smart escooter" Electric Scooter

This appears to be an actual fact and not some rumor. According to high-level officials at Mercedes-Benz, and parent Daimler AG, the company will begin selling an electric scooter under their smart automobile brand. It is now known as the smart escooter (all lower-case letters as is their standard with smart) and will be seen in dealerships and on the roads by 2014. Almost no details are available presently, but this is a firm commitment, so more information is certainly forthcoming. Until then, have a read:

http://tinyurl.com/d27z8uo

Monocasco Concept Bike by Air-Tic - Object of Desire

Though the Monocasco Concept Bike is only that - a concept with no technical details whatsoever - it is something to behold. I only say that due to its mix of classic and modern themes; very stout-looking running gear, whitewall tires, a high-tech braking system, and classic bends of very cutting-edge materials all come together in a tight package which has the distinct appearance of possessing magnificent handling. Spanish design firm Air-Tic is responsible for this dream machine and they based it on the monocoque chassis from the mind of Grand Prix racer Santiago Herrero...well, you can read all that we know here:

http://tinyurl.com/cpw8qlu

A Triumph Concept That Should Inspire the Marque's Future

Triumph is at the top of the industry again, leading its own niche with some incredibly competent motorcycles which impress even motojournalists who ride hundreds of bikes every year. Many of them own at least one example from the Birtish manufacturer. What I am hoping, though, is that they are willing to take yet another risk - another chance at making a motorcycle which will transcend its category and, perhaps, become an instant classic, provided it is given adequate power and suspension. Both of those Triumph knows and has done many times before...

Take a look at the Triumph Speed Twin Concept, a bike designed by two recent design school graduates with an amazing amount of help from Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. That does mean that this concept has been bred in the same R&D lab that the Speed Triple, Daytona 675 and Rocket III Roadster, so this machine can be built by them...if only the will. The frame, the modern girder forks, and those lovely spoked wheels matched to that stripped down bodywork, it all speaks to the eye and seems like it cannot stand still - it looks like it is always in motion. Please read up on this one; follow the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/7szrto7

Honda RC-E Electric Concept

Late (again) with this news about the soon to show - at the Tokyo Motor event, of course - Honda RC-E electric superbike concept. The idea here is that the RC-E may actually reach production, though, so not so much of a concept as a prototype. Whether this is more than a rumor will only be known in time. Until it either becomes reality or burns out with the many others which came before it, we can let our eyes wonder over the curvaceous machine that is the Honda RC-E. She is sweet, no?

http://tinyurl.com/7fkt56e

Oberdan Bezzi "Builds" A Beautiful MV

If only someone would actually put this into real steel - or some alloy - it would be mine. OK, that is not strictly true; I could not afford it - and it WILL become reality very soon, according to one source (linked below). It could be mimicked by a cleaver builder with a salvaged Brutale or F4...and, it would not be extraordinarily expensive, either. The Oberdan Bezzi MV Agusta 750S Classic Concept will debut at EICMA Milan in only a few weeks' time. Isn't she a beauty!

http://tinyurl.com/6fqg259

Star Wars Honda Chopper: Fairly Creative - High Marks for Attention to Detail

From out of the wide world of Internet media comes the concept vehicle (yes, we've seen many here) before you. It is branded Honda, but has been designed by one very dedicated Star Wars fan, Mr Pete Norris. Check it out:

http://tinyurl.com/3o9exaz

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

Oberdan Bezzi Brings Us the MMB1 - Bimota's First Moto Morini - And MMB2!

Unfortunately, it is just a drawing presently. And, of course, many malign the Moto Morini powerplant. However, this design concept just simply works. It is beautiful, Italian and looks like it would be one to add to my garage - if I can ever afford another motorcycle. Oberdan Bezzi is a talented idea man who has brought us some of the most interesting designs I have seen. It is called the MMB1 - meaning Moto Morini Bimota, first model. Just take a look and then read the story behind why this came about...

http://tinyurl.com/y4euvd2

Just a few days later...we get yet another design from the mind of Oberdan Bezzi! This one is a cross between a streetfighter and supermoto concept with a more upright ergonomic setup and a surprisingly edgy look. It sure would be nice to know that Bimota would at least consider something like these machines. I am certain they would sell well - at least for the boutique perfectionism of this fine Italian marque. It would be nice to get one or both of these lovely works of mechanical art! If only they will become reality...

http://tinyurl.com/25jc97a

Maxxis Signs New Deal for British Motocross & Ducati Frameless Patent

Maxxis Tires has signed on to continue their title sponsorship of the ACU British Motocross Championship for three more years. Apparently, the deal is working very well for both the tire manufacturer and the ACU, so it will continue and will likely even become a larger series in the next few years. It's a match made in England!

http://tinyurl.com/ygpcd35


This story has been making the rounds of the moto-press for a few weeks, but we finally have a story which includes the patent information. This is all about the frameless motorcycle patent which was recently field by Ducati. It is a little different from Honda's similar design - of which the VFR1200F is an example - yet it still seems to accomplish the same thing - bolting the front and rear sections of the bike directly onto the engine. Take the link and have a close look at the details...

http://tinyurl.com/yhtdlxq

More Afternoon Moto News - Benelli 2 TechnoTracker & Avon Tires

A new concept motorcycle from the mind of Oberdan Bezzi has come to light. He has designed a Benelli flat-track motorcycle which he calls the Benelli 2 TechnoTracker. It is based on the as yet unreleased Benelli 2ue 756 naked streetbike, and Bezzi expects his design would be competitive in the AMA flat track racing events. We have to get the new bike out of Benelli first, but it sure looks good to me!

http://tinyurl.com/yz5g8f4

The US side of the Avon Tyres company has released a new website. It offers company news, technical details and more! It will also have information on motorcycle events, featured builders, contests and testimonials from Avon users. The website is most useful for researching Avon products, as you might expect, and has some of the best technical details of any tire website on the Internet! Check it out for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yk8unxh

More Morning Moto News - Oceania MX & Marouane Bembli

The Australian contingent at the Oceania Motocross Championships managed to turn in a very impressive race performance which saw them win the title at the event. New Zealand was their main competition, but the Kiwis did not have all of the racers finish on the podium and thus gave the event to their Aussie neighbors. Oz won by a mere 18 points, but the results looked rather better for them than NZ.

http://tinyurl.com/ygja2xj

Marouane Bembli has created a concept motorcycle which was inspired by the insipid "Transformers" movie, but the bike looks much more Batbike than something Megan Fox would ride. In fact, it even has the long and low look of the Bat-machine from the new Batman films. Take a look for yourself, though there is precious little information on the bike anywhere as of yet.

http://tinyurl.com/yzp2mt2

More Morning Moto News - Ducati Concept Trike, BMW in AMA & CPSIA, again

This design - the one you will see when you take the link - is from a French designer who decided he wanted something a bit more stable from the Ducati Desmosedici. He grafted a two-wheel front end onto the machine, believe it or not, and has turned it into a sort of street-quad, except that it is more like the Spyder RS. It may never be built, but at least the kid is thinking...

http://tinyurl.com/yfsjfxf

Liberty Waves Racing will be the first team to take the new BMW S1000RR racing in the AMA Pro paddock. The team is sponsored by Dairyland Cycle Insurance and they have some solid resources behind them. Eric Pinson, team boss, simply cannot wait to get the BMW on the track in the American Superbike series.

http://tinyurl.com/yew927s

Two rather well-known motorcycle personalities - Ben Spies and Kevin Schwantz, along with Robbie Maddison - have come together to help the fight against the CPSIA and what it has done to youth motorcycles and ATVs. If you are not familiar with this, you really need to take this link and brush up. If you are, then you know that having more celebrity behind the move to allow our children to ride bikes and ATVs their size is something we can make good use of!

http://tinyurl.com/yknn53z

MORE Afternoon Moto News - BMW Fuel Cell & MotoGP Testing

Some design students at ISD Valenciennes in France have created a hydrogen fuel cell powered BMW concept motorcycle. It only exists in digital form, but it is well-engineered and designed to look quite nice sitting in a parking lot or at speed. For the video and more photos, please take the links.

http://tinyurl.com/yzghguy

http://tinyurl.com/yzu8nmf

The MotoGP teams are in Malaysia again testing at the Sepang IC. The fastest rider so far is the same as in the previous test - Valentino Rossi. Casey Stoner came in a close second, with Dovizioso, Capirossi and Spies rounding out the top five.

http://tinyurl.com/ykg4lvg

And, for some team reports from the practice, please take the link below and click on each team to see what the riders and engineers are saying about their experience in Malaysia.

http://tinyurl.com/yznyogq

MORE Evening Moto News - Honda 3R-C EV & River Ranch GNCC

Honda has released information on their new three-wheeled electric vehicle. It sits somewhere between a motorcycle and a car, but it certainly looks closer to the two-wheeled machines given the way it leans and how you ride the thing. It is supposed to be all-electric but there are few other details; it is a concept vehicle, after all. It looks rather fun to me!

http://tinyurl.com/yfcy6mk

The River Ranch GNCC round is coming up on 2 March 2010 in the town of Lake Wales, Florida. It is part of the 2010 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country motorcycle racing series. It is a special time for New Zealander Paul Whibley, who is also the defending champion, as he prepares to defend his title. This year he rides with the Am-Pro Yamaha team this season...and he is ready to ride...

http://tinyurl.com/ykh5ch5

Monday Afternoon Moto News - Jason DiSalvo, Industry Gossip & TTXGP

This past weekend, Jason DiSalvo decided to go outside and get some training done. Where it gets interesting is when you consider that he lives in New York state - and they have snow on the ground! He went out with his playbike (a dirt machine) and threw some snow around in process of getting himself in race shape for the Triumph team with which he will contend the 2010 World Supersport Championship season.

http://tinyurl.com/yh7jrek

In industry gossip ,we get word that KTM is going to produce their 125cc concept machines which were present at the Milan EICMA Show just last year. They will be built in India and will be sold globally. There are plenty of other rumors - some we have already heard and some which are new. There is a great part on the future of a four-wheeled leaning motorcycle (ala Yamaha Tesseract)So, please do not forget to take the link and have a good read!

http://tinyurl.com/yd39w78

And, finally, there is news that Road America, of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will be hosting the final event of the TTXGP’s eGrandPrix North American Championship. It is certainly nice to see another round added to this series as the Isle of Man TT organizers shuttered that round recently. If only it will help gain some notoriety for the organizers and participants alike.

http://tinyurl.com/yzqz6aq

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

Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - CSA Performance Wheels, Zeppelin & The Cycle Hitch

CSA Performance has purchased the Dymag wheel business which went under late last year. The new company, which will use the same technology as the previous Dymag wheels, will be known as CSA Performance Wheels. For all the details, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yc8crlx

The motorcycle is based on a Harley-Davidson WR engine and is designed as a board-tracker - but, with hub-center steering on the front wheel. It is a project of retired Dutch steelworker Roel van der Heide, who is also the brains behind the Chiqane motorcycles. This new project has been dubbed the Zeppelin Boardtracker. It is a most interesting concept! Take a look...

http://tinyurl.com/y9d8eme

An entrepreneur in Arizona, one Jeff Trenk, has come up with a great solution to towing your motorcycle behind you car. He calls it "The Cycle Hitch" and he has given it a 99-year warranty due to its high-end construction. For a look at how it works, take the link, or go to the Power Sports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis from 12 - 15 February 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/y8vruoo

Friday Afternoon Moto News - H-D Loss, Erik Buell & Derbi

Harley-Davidson posted their first quarterly loss in 16 years at the end of 2009. It is a sad representation of what this economy is doing to the industry. To help fight this, they have created another entry-market motorcycle, the Forty-Eight, which they hope will bring in some new customers. It is unlikely to make an impact like they want, but they will certainly sell some of them. Good Luck H-D!

http://tinyurl.com/yby5d2t

Erik Buell Racing has signed on with think3’s ThinkDesign (CAD) and ThinkPLM (PDM) to help optimize their product development. This comes to us via a press release from the Erik Buell Racing company and think3. For more details, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yd9bd69

Derbi, with help from Sevcon, have created their own electric motorcycle, the GPR EV. They say that it is far beyond what is currently being produced by other electric motorcycle manufacturers due to its fully-integrated power system. No word on production or racing for this machine, just the short article and the photo.

http://tinyurl.com/yeg5ask

Monday Evening Moto News - Chris Ulrich and Ducati Mono

The Toyota Gold Cup Unlimited Formula One class continued racing with the 2010 season opener for the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club, which took place this last weekend. And, Chris Ulrich, riding for Roadracingworld.com and Suzuki, took yet another victory at the event. This, of course, puts him in first place overall and a very comfortable lead, especially this early in the season. Many other classes were run during the race weekend and, for all of the results, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9nxczf

Well, it is not actually a Ducati, yet. But, designed Dan Anderson has been hard at work on his Ducati 599 Mono Concept and has allowed it to be seen by our eyes. It is a fantastic design, and I really hope that Ducati gives some thought to producing it as it would be a wonderful bike for beginning racers and road-riders alike. All of the technology is available right now, so it would not be hard to tool up for the production run. There is one thing I would change, though: move the fuel tank lower, put the airbox on top and turn the faux tank into storage or similar. That would bring the CG down lower and make it handle like on rails.

http://tinyurl.com/ybmshdz