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If you have ever read this blog, and I know the numbers are most unfortunately small, you will notice a new section on the right-hand side of the page - "Most Trusted Resources" - with some new links. These have been placed here as a helpful list of online resources for almost anything motorcycle - buying a new bike, finding salvage parts, reviews of gear and aftermarket accessories, and a wonderful place to look up any specifications or details on a bike you want to buy or want to learn more about.
I have been working with the man behind these sites for some time now, and I can assure any readers here that the websites he creates are incredibly useful and very thorough. Please take a look and bookmark these sites for future reference!
New Links - Resources for the Ride
More News from JC Current...Please CLICK!
There has been an enormous amount of news coming from the world of two wheels lately. It is the end of the racing season, the musical chairs that are professional racing, the beginning of the 2011 models, new gear and accessories - and plenty of shows which bring much of this together in one place. EICMA is running in Milan, Ducati has released their 'fat-boy' Diavel, MV Agusta has shown their new F3 triple, Triumph's new Tiger 800XC and Daytona 675R, Yamaha's Super Tenere, and many more.
I have some stories here which may have slipped past you, or you may simply want to know more. Some are a bit old, but they are still current (pun intended)...please take a look.
2011 Master of the Mountains Schedule
The Middle Kindom Ride - China on BMWs
The New Brammo Enertia Plus
The 2010 Africa Concours d'Elegance in Kenya
The All-New Honda CBR250R Coming to US
The Renard Grand Tourer - Estonian Beauty
Honda's Moto3 Machine - NRS250
BMW R1200GS Triple Black
Chicago's Isle of Man
Gilera GP800 - World's Most Powerful Scooter
dediKato Auction (Ends 8 November 2010)
Nick Nichols Has Shed This Mortal Coil
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show and Bonhams Auction
Suzuki GZ250 Price Dropped $1000!
Guy Martin to Ride Relentless by TAS Suzuki at 2011 Isle of Man TT
Scott Redding to Ride Suter/BMW MotoGP Machine
2011 FIM Speedway GP and Speedway Cup Schedule
Team Canada Heading to Latin American Championships
AMA Crowns Hillclimb Champions
Well, there are a few more, but that will do for this post. I am also working at the Portland Examiner as well and have at least one published article there...once I get that link, I will post it here too...Until then, please take the above links - every click helps!
Motojournalist Position?
Also, if anyone does see this and they happen to work for a moto-magazine, please contact me directly. I am in the hunt for a good position working for a reliable publisher. Samples will be provided upon request - I have many articles ready to go now and no place to post them!
Thank you!
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
Brammo Releases Empulse to the World
Wow, Brammo had something working in the background for some time now. After interviewing one Brian Wismann, I knew something was up but not how big it would be. Cycle World has already managed to lay hands on the machine and has a piece on the beast. This is the new Empulse, and it comes in three different power versions...and, it is lovely. If you are an avid motorcyclist, you need to check this out now!
Valentino Rossi Sells Out - Will Ride Ducati in 2011
Since it seems that very few people on this side of the pond know this, I figured it would be a good idea to post it. It seems that the big and exclusive 'secret story' which MCN (UK) had been prepping us with over the last 24 hours is that Yamaha MotoGP racer Valentino Rossi has fled Yamaha and will ride on a Ducati for the 2011 MotoGP Championship. The details are not clear as of yet, but you can confirm this by taking the link below.
http://tinyurl.com/2buctow
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
Another Human Sacrifice for the Isle of Man TT
It is simply part of racing at this time; that is often used to explain a death on any motorcycle race circuit, but the Isle of Man TT has a special place for the people who give their lives to race in this prestigious annual event. The truth of the matter is that those who race motorcycles are risking their lives. Modern safety equipment and even better track design has noticeably reduced the numbers in recent decades - and that is a very good thing for all of us! The TT, however, will always be this way. It is a real roads race which demands the best of the people moving at high speed over its course on motorcycles. Ask anyone out there, though, and you will find not one individual with a 'death wish'. To them, this is life and it sometimes takes that from you. They know the risks and try to be as safe as they can be, but pushing the limit puts you on a fine edge between stable and unstable. This time the price was a 29-year-old man from the U.K. named Matthew Alexander Evans. He crashed while piloting his Honda Fireblade at high speed in the left-hand curves near the Mountain Box. Please see the link for more...
MCN (UK) Blog at 2010 Isle of Man TT
This is a shameless plug, but not for myself...it is for the MCN blog written by Gary Pinchin while he gets to experience the annual madness that is the Isle of Man TT. It is more than just a race, and there are activities for just about everyone there. The population swells, though, so you must be ready for crowds at almost any venue. Simply grab a good place to stay, get your food and alcohol regimen locked in, and then let yourself enjoy every moment...try not to stress. If you are participating, that advice is useless - just ride your own TT! Take a look at this blog and check back often for updates on the linked site.
http://tinyurl.com/3x5xr8d
Big Bad News from Moto Morini - Buyout Rejected by Unions
The trade unions working for Moto Morini have voted against the buyout offer presented by Paolo Berlusconi, which essentially kills the deal for now. Most familiar with the proceedings believe that Berlusconi will tender another offer within weeks. For everyone who wishes this marque a win for a change, let's hope a deal is reached very soon. It will be nice to see something good come from all the suffering...
http://tinyurl.com/23rr2jo
BMW Recalls 122,000 Motorcycles for Brake Issues
The model at the center of the recall is the K1200GT and the problem is with leaks in the front braking systems. BMW issued the recall today and has already worked with dealers to get a solution in place for current owners. If you have one of these, or a derivative model, you should check with your local BMW shop to see if your bike is one of those which needs the service. Do not wait - this is a huge issue which could result in serious injury or death! For the details, please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/2bov6jb
HMSI Unveils Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler 150
It appears that CEO Shinji Aoyama of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Ltd has come out to the buying public plain and simple - this model will cost more than the original estimated MSRP. The CB Unicorn Dazzler 150 will need to cost more to make up for its higher overall quality. It seems that HMSI is dedicated to making this machine a very reliable and strong bike. If it rides on the roads of India, it must be a very stout - nee indestructible - and it must handle very well. Take a look at the new machine...
http://tinyurl.com/35c4w79
TTXGP Begins at Infineon Raceway Today!
Sorry this is so late, but the inaugural TTXGP race for the 2010 season will begin today at Infineon Raceway in California. The series will have 13 rounds and will end with a huge Grand Finale event in Spain. It is a historic weekend for all motorcycle racing - this is the first ever global electric racing series! You may be able to catch some of the action on your local motorsports TV channel if you cannot get to the track...check your local schedule. In the meantime, take the link below to learn more.
http://tinyurl.com/397dhpu
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...MotoGP Japan Grand Prix at Motegi is POSTPONED
Dorna and the FIM announced last night that the Motegi round of the 2010 MotoGP Championship - the Japanese Grand Prix - has been postponed due to the ash covering the European airspace. The race weekend was to be 23 - 25 April 2010, but it will held 1 - 3 October instead. The large Icelandic eruption has caused most flights to be cancelled in Europe for safety reasons and it has now pushed the MotoGP management to push the Japan Grand Prix back to later in the year when the teams will be on a fly-away trip to Malaysia and Australia. Be glad you are not in F1, though, as they seem to be trapped in China for the time being - at least the MotoGP teams are close to home in Europe!
http://tinyurl.com/y3ml538
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
Big MotoGP News for Speed Viewers in North America
Dorna and Speed (TV) have reached an agreement which will allow the US-based channel to air the 2010 - 2012 MotoGP Championship seasons in high-definition (HD) LIVE! It's the first of its kind for North American fans of the world's greatest sport, the Motorcycle Grand Prix. The agreement begins this weekend with the Qatar round of the series - a night race in the desert. Speed will show the event live at 4 PM (ET) on 11 April 2010. They will also put some of the races online at speedtv.com. For all the very cool details, please take the link...Amazing!
http://tinyurl.com/yegaq6e
CurrentMoto Blog on Hiatus
I must apologize for just stopping the posts without an explanation. There are several reasons, but no real excuses. For one, I am having to dedicate more time to writing now in order to work at bringing in more money. I have some rather big projects in the works right now and they will take some time to complete. However, once I am done I will post them here as well...just in case someone is interested in reading them. The next problem has been my connection to the Internet. If you do keep track of what happens here you will remember the computer fiasco; well, that has gotten worse again as well but I am working around it just fine. I simply need a new machine, unfortunately. The Internet connection was a real problem - no stable connectivity for a week or so. Replaced the modem, replaced the router, and tested every single internal connection - all solid and working perfectly, with the notable exception of not being able to have a connection to the Web last for more than fifteen minutes or so. Part of it seems to have been faulty equipment - the testing bore that out for both units when simply using the direct LAN connections. And, the second part is a full-on attack on our connection from parties unknown. I have the logs and will hopefully get a certain ISP to do something about it. We will wait and see...
Anyway, I will start posting again soon, but it will be mostly big items missed by other outlets or just a pull of where you can find the best information on the major happenings. So, please forgive me and on with the writing! Thank you!
BMW Canada Summerfest 2010
BMW will again bring the Canadian (and other) riding public the Summerfest event - for the fourth time - which will be held at Mosport International Raceway from 9 - 11 July 2010. As usual, there will be tons of vendors, stunt shows, several seminars with very knowledgeable speakers, training sessions, the Summerfest Feast and so much more. If you live nearby or are traveling towards the area, you really owe it to yourself to attend this incredible festival brought to you by BMW of Canada!
http://tinyurl.com/ydelama
http://tinyurl.com/ya4k9zt
Easton Crashes Hard at Cadwell Park Test & MotoGP in HD, Finally!
Swan Honda rider, and British Superbike Championship favorite, Stuart Easton went down in a rather nasty way while testing for the 2010 season at Cadwell Park. He was airlifted to the hospital where they are going to do some exploratory surgery around his knee. So far it looks like he will be OK, but they want to be sure everything is in fine order before they let him get back on the track...
http://tinyurl.com/ye7jz3t
MotoGP has finally entered into the 21st century by way of broadcasting the races in Hi-Definition! Some races have already been filmed in HD, but those were not broadcast to the public. In 2010, all MotoGP races will be available in HD and will be initially broadcast in HD, though your provider may not send full HD signals to your TV. Check with your local MotoGP broadcast channel to see if you will get the full experience!
http://tinyurl.com/ye8p9x2
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