International Motorcycle News Blog

Suzuki GSX-R 600 k8

2007-09-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Here are the pics of suzukis latest offering
The Suzuki GSX-R 600 k8

Specs and other details sooon...

Yamaha 2008 relases

2007-09-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

Yamaha has unveiled the 2008 Yamaha R1 - and although the motorcycle has not been radically changed, it does come in a choice of three new colour schemes.

Yamaha has given the new 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 a complete workover and despite the motorcycle looking pretty similar to the current Yamaha R6, it gets a new frame and swingarm, reworked 599cc engine, new slipper clutch, improved front brakes and more aerodynamic bodywork.

This is the all-new 2008 Yamaha YZF-R125 motorcycle which will go head to head with the top-selling Honda CBR125R. The Yamaha YZF-R125 uses an all-new liquid-cooled 124cc, four-valve, short-stroke single cylinder engine, which is claimed to be the most powerful 125cc four-stroke motorcycle available. It has a six-speed gearbox and fuel injection, and a Yamaha YZF-R6 style stubby exhaust with twin catalysts is fitted.

Yamaha’s iconic660 Tenere Paris-Daker replica motorcycle is making a return for 2008 with an all-new design.

The Yamaha 500cc-liquid cooled parallel twin scooter gets a new frame, a larger fuel tank, four-piston monoblock brake calipers from the Yamaha FZ6 motorcycle (fitted with ABS as standard), and a larger underseat storage area. The bodywork has also been restyled for a sharper look close to the 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6 motorcycle.

This is Yamaha’s aggressive new drag-style XV1900 Raider custom cruiser, which will only be available in the USA.

The 2008 Honda Model lineup

2007-09-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the world exclusive first picture of the 2008 Honda Fireblade. It's an official Honda picture, and we'll be updating this story with more details about the motorcycle as we get them.

In keeping with Honda’s two-year update cycle the CBR600RR motorcycle has been left untouched other than colour changes.

Honda has left the 2008 Honda VFR800 motorcycle unchanged, despite rumours it’s already-developed replacement was to due to be launched this month.

2007-03-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Honda revealed a tribute to former world champion Freddie Spencer in the form of a new limited-edition CB750.

The bike, which will only be sold in Japan, features paintwork derived from Spencer's AMA race bikes from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Only 300 will be made, with orders taken for just one month - after April 10 it will no longer be possible to buy one.

In Japan, the bike costs just £3500, so all 300 machines are likely to be snapped up by collectors over there, with little chance of any being exported.

2007-02-02T02:56:00.000-08:00

Polaris press release follows:

In a highly anticipated world unveiling, Victory Motorcycles, a division of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE:PII), today launched its new Victory Vision™ family of luxury touring motorcycles at the International Motorcycle Show in New York City. The new bikes, the Victory Vision Street™ and Victory Vision Tour,™ boast Victory’s own thunderous V-Twin engine, unmatched comfort and breakthrough styling - redefining what it means to be an American touring bike.

“We spent nearly six years researching and developing this bike, and more than 28,000 miles riding with customers and are confident that the Victory Vision will fulfill the dreams of people looking to tour on an American Luxury touring bike,” said Mark Blackwell, vice president of Victory Motorcycles and International Operations. “The Victory Vision is perhaps the most pure example of what riders have been asking for: a modern, American V-Twin touring bike.”

A powerful combination of style and comfort, the Victory Vision bikes have four inches of cushion in their seats, a relaxed, feet-forward riding position, the best aerodynamic wind protection and airflow management for all weather riding, ample storage space with modern American styling. The new bikes will be available to riders across the country beginning in fall 2007.

“This is a proud day for Polaris and Victory Motorcycles as we launch a family of motorcycles that 30 years from now people will look back and say, ‘Those bikes fundamentally changed the design of American motorcycles,” said Tom Tiller, CEO, Polaris Industries. “We launched Victory Motorcycles in 1998 with the belief that an American company could design and build the best motorcycles in the world – while not the biggest, we are confident based on feedback from our buyers Victory is the best.”

The Victory Vision comes in two flavors, Tour, with 6750 cubic inches of storage space and Street with 3370 cubic inches of capacity. Seat height is a low 26.5 inches and the seating position is relaxed with a lot of room to move around thanks to integrated floorboards.

Interesting is the lack of specifics on engine displacement, with some time left before it shows up on the showroom floor, it may be a decision that is not yet final.

Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster

2007-02-02T02:15:00.000-08:00

Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles get a burst of adrenalin with the launch of the new XL 1200N Nightster. With a wicked combination of exceptional performance, unique design and a low seat height, the Nightster has a gritty, urban feel offering a sharp ride for the street. "The XL 1200N Nightster is a blacked-out street bike that continues a half century of Sportster tradition of innovative, fun and versatile motorcycles," said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Director of Motorcycle Product Development. "With loads of truly select features and components, the Nightster takes all the enhancements made to the Sportster family in recent years to an entirely different level."

Features

Rubber-mounted 1200cc XL Evolution engine
Medium Gray powder-coated engine with polished and black treatments
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
High-compression, high-flow cylinder heads
High-performance cams
Smooth, quiet transmission
Light clutch lever effort
25.3-inch solo seat height
Low front and rear suspension
Black front forks with gaiters
Bullet hole rear belt guard and front fender clamps
Black, low rise handlebar with brake and clutch levers, turn signals and air cleaner insert
Side-mounted license plate holder (dealer-installed rear mount option)
Brake and tail lights integrated with rear turn signals
Black mid-mount foot controls
Black-rimmed, Laced Steel wheels
Chrome staggered shorty slash cut dual exhaust
Silver Satin finish fuel cap, headlamp trim ring and oil dipstick cover
Optional Smart Security System

Engine

Engine: Air-cooled, Evolution
Valve Train: Pushrod-operated,
overhead valves with hydraulic,
self-adjusting lifters;
two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke: 3.50 in. x 3.81 in.(88.90 mm x 96.77 mm)
Displacement: 73.20 cu. in. (1859.28 cc)
Compression Ratio: 9.7:1
Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner: Paper cartridge type Lubrication System: Dry-sump

The Motorbike of the year 2006

2007-01-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

The prizes for "The Motorbike of the year 2006" have been given in Bologna, where the models of MV Agusta Group have been the absolute stars. The rewards have been awarded through the votes of the magazine's readers "Motosprint", together with the most prestigious magazines of all Europe:

Motorrad (Germany),
Toeff (Switzerland),
Moto Journal (France),
Motociclismo (Spain),
Motociclismo (Portugal),
Motor Revue (Hungary),
Motocykl (Poland),
Motocykl (Czech Republic)
and Motor Revija (Croatia).

The models of MV Agusta Group have received the following prizes:

MV AGUSTA F4 1000 Senna for the category SPORTIVE (18,2% of votes)

MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 910S for the category NAKED (20,9% of votes)

CAGIVA MITO 125 for the category 125 (19,5% of votes).

Superbike 2007 world championship calendar

2007-01-06T06:27:00.000-08:00

Superbike 2007 world championship calendar(Updated)....

February 24 Losail : Qatar

March 4 Phillip Island : Australia

April 1 Europe Donington Park

April 15 Valencia : Spain

April 29 Netherlands Assen

May 13 Monza : Italy

May 27 Silverstone : Great Britain

June 17 Misano : San Marino

July 22 Brno : Czech Republic

August 5 Brands Hatch : Great Britain

September 9 Lausitzring : Germany

September 30 Vallelunga : Italy

October 7 Magny-Cours : France ...

Ducati 1098 tricolor

2006-11-26T01:23:00.000-08:00

It will sport front and rear Ohlins suspension and carbon fiber bits as in the 1098 S, and it's accompanied by 3 CDs of software and sports a USB plug. That software allows you to download trackday data for analysis and that's a production bike first. The uber-geek, and your reading this on the web so likely we mean you, can swim the data channels including throttle opening, vehicle speed, engine rpm, engine temperature, distance travelled, laps and lap times. The software also calculates engine rpm and vehicle speed data to display gear selection. Yes, you can relive up to 3.5 hours of track time in staggering numeric detail

THIRD WORLD RECORD FOR JONES AND BUELL

2006-11-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

November 24, 2006

London, England - Not content with two Guinness World Records for solo stoppies, Buell Motorcycles' professional extreme rider Craig Jones has now done it two-up.

The former European champion and co-rider Wing Chui covered 305m on a Buell Firebolt XB12R's front wheel on a damp Donington Park race circuit in England.

Jones took the Buell Firebolt to more than 190km/h before applying the front brake and balancing the bike on its front wheel.

Wing Chui was mounted on an extension to the front wheel spindle. As he hung on to the fairing he watched Jones steer the Buell Firebolt and had a compelling reason to hang on tight as he travelled at 160km/h with the Donington track very close to his backside.

Jones said afterwards: "We have worked and performed together for several years and you need total faith in each other. This record was our way of pushing the Buell Firebolt and our own capabilities further than ever before."

In 2003, Jones set the world’s longest solo stoppie record of 225m on a Buell and in 2004 beat his own record by reaching 266m.

The Official MotoGP calendar for 2007 season.

2006-11-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

For this new season, San Marino (small state in Italy) Grand Prix was add to the calendar. It will take place in Misano race track.

17/03/2007 : Grand prix of Qatar; Race Track : Losail (GP on Saturday).
25/03/2007 : Grand prix of Spain; Race Track : Jerez de la Frontera.
22/04/2007 : Grand prix of China; Race Track : Shanghai.
06/05/2007 : Grand prix of Turkey; Race Track : Istanbul.
20/05/2007 : Grand prix of France; Race Track : Le Mans.
03/06/2007 : Grand prix of Italy; Race Track : Mugello.
10/06/2007 : Grand prix of Catalunya; Race Track : Catalunya.
24/06/2007 : Grand prix of Great Britain; Race Track : Donington.
30/06/2007 : Grand prix of Netherland; Race Track : Assen.
15/07/2007 : Grand prix of Germany; Race Track : Sachsenring.
22/07/2007 : Grand prix of USA Race Track; : Laguna Seca (Only MotoGP class).

Summer Break.

19/08/2007 : Grand prix of Czech Republic; Race Track : Brno.
02/09/2007 : Grand prix of San Marino & Riviera di Rimini; Race Track : Misano.
23/09/2007 : Grand prix of Japan; Race Track : Motegi.
07/10/2007 : Grand prix of Australia; Race Track : Phillip Island.
14/10/2007 : Grand prix of Malaysia; Race Track : Sepang
28/10/2007 : Grand prix of Portugal; Race Track : Estoril
04/11/2007 : Grand prix of Valencia; Race Track : Ricardo Tormo

Ducati 1098 Biposto and The 1098 S Tri-Colore

2006-11-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

The 1098 introduces a number of ‘firsts’ for Ducati and production sport bike design. The 1098 is the first production motorcycle to have the amazing stopping power of Brembo Monobloc brakes, the first to have a data acquisition system integrated as standard equipment and the first to use an ingenious construction method for its weight-saving single-sided swingarm. More ‘firsts’ for a road-going Ducati include the direct application of MotoGP technology, like the power producing GP6-derived elliptical throttle bodies and the use of the information-rich instrumentation originally developed for the new Desmosedici GP7.

Ducati 1098 Superbike The 1098 has the soul of a race bike, pure and simple. The riding position encourages the rider to mould to the sleek lines of the tank and seat: man and machine are made one. It transmits the quality and character of contact between road surface and tyre, it signals the way the chassis will react next and responds instinctively to rider commands.

Satisfying all the senses, the throaty roar of the twin under-seat exhausts are synchronized with the howl of the elliptical throttle bodies providing a fitting fanfare for the new 1098 Testastretta Evoluzione engine. The huge 104mm bore and all-new cylinder head design unite to produce an awesome 160hp and an arm-wrenching 90+ lb-fts of torque. Developed together with Ducati Corse, the 1098 is a masterpiece of incredible performance and innovation.

Price:$14,995 USD

And for this
The 1098 S Tri-Colore...

Price:$24,995 USD

2007 MV Agusta F4 C.C. (Claudio Castiglioni)

2006-11-23T10:48:00.000-08:00

An italian dream...
“I decided to put my name to this bike as I originally dreamed of it for myself”. This is how Claudio Castiglioni, the Managing Director referred to the new F4 that now carries his initials “CC”. The boss of MV did what any of us might well have done and gave in to his inner instincts, gave in to the temptation to create a motorbike, not just to meet strategic market needs, but to create something really special, something truly magnificent - just for the sake of it. To create the F4CC project, he obviously utilised everything at his disposal; exclusive materials and the latest technology to attain the utmost in performance.

The figures for the new MV speak for themselves: 315 kph (195 mph) top speed (auto-limited by tyre specification). Unique in its genre, sculptured by his friend Massimo Tamburini, made with luxurious design and high components hidden in the MV closet, right in that corner where the embryo start to develop: the MV AGUSTA racing department.

A specially boxed certificate of origin will make the delivery of each machine something very special - more a ceremony. Each machine will have a platinum plate at the top of the steering column bearing the model number from 1 – 100. The F4CC titanium exhausts and engine management unit together have the task of taming the power of the 1078 cc engine yet making it “sing” even sweeter when unleashing all of its 200 CV. The F4CC doesn’t just want to entice with its looks - it wants to out-perform everything else. It wants to leave everyone stunned – for once and for all.

MV Agusta Brutale 910S 2007

2006-11-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

With its 910cc Euro 3 engine, the MV “naked” not only meets European anti-pollution standards but is even more usable yet keeps the muscle of the “four-in-line” with better torque and power output than the Euro 2 model. The Brutale 910S frame made from chrome-molybdenum steel tubing follows the lines of the original one on the 750cc.

The front end is looked after by Marzocchi Magnum hydraulic forks with rebound-compression damping and spring preload adjustment. Rear suspension is looked after by an adjustable Sachs single shock absorber with rebound-compression damping and spring preload adjustment.

Performances
From the performance point of view, the new 910 engine outstrips the previous version both in terms of delivery and maximum power output.
Superb tuning of the four-cylinder engine has created a substantial increase in the maximum torque available.This has increased from 7.9 Kgm at 10,500 rpm from the 750cc engine to 9.8 Kgm at 7,900 rpm.

Although the maximum speed for this type of machine is a rather secondary matter, it has increased by 7 kph.

2007 MV Agusta Brutale 910R

2006-11-22T11:17:00.000-08:00

Captivating style, great temperament, engine technology par excellence, and a fanatical eye to detail. All these qualities have long been recognized in the both the 750 and 910 Brutale. Now imagine these properties dramatically enhanced by improved performance, stronger braking and the dynamic handling characteristics of a full race machine. This is the 910R — a motorcycle for everyday use that is capable of rewarding its rider with the behavior and riding sensation that is more in line with full race machines. The MV Agusta Brutale 910R keeps the same elegant lines of the S version, but includes several modifications that make it even more dynamic and aggressive.

THE EQUIPMENT:

The Brutale 910R is fitted with state-of-the-art technical systems worthy of a competition machine. This is clearly seen in the braking and suspension systems that differ from the 910S as follows:

Brembo Monoblock P4/34 radial brake calipers.
Aluminum 320mm Brembo discs
Radial caliper strut
Marzocchi USD 50 mm R.A.C. forks (Road Advanced Component.)
Brembo forged Aluminum wheels with Y spokes.
Racing exhaust with specialized Eprom
New hand-polished inlet ducts

PERFORMANCE:

The addition of polished intakes helps increase engine performance from the Brutale 910S, and when optional racing exhaust is installed, the Brutale 910R pumps out 144hp.

Nicky Hayden out for Jerez tests

2006-11-22T10:28:00.000-08:00

After Marco Melandri and Dani Pedrosa, now its the turn of Nicky Hayden to be under surgery. The American rider who broke his right collarbone in 2004 in supermoto tests, will be surgered to change the steel plate who maintain his bone.

That is the result of his crash with Pedrosa in Estoril grand prix (portugal). He finishes the championship, without a word about this but now it is urgent that his injury be fixed. Next Tests in Jerez will be carried out by Dani Pedrosa for Repsol Honda team. Hayden will be back on track in january.

2006-11-21T12:04:00.000-08:00

Tesi 3D is Bimota’s latest version of the ground braking hub-steered Tesi. It follows the concept where the Tesi 1D and 2D left. New is a trellis front swingarm and the latest DS 1100 engine from Ducati. It produces 95bhp in the gorgeous Bimota chassis. Bimota will first produce 30 of the show version and then hopefully (Bimota quote) another 100 next year.

Aprilia Pegaso et Pegaso Factory

2006-11-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Pegaso have been upgraded.

The Pegaso gets new wired wheels and top suspension in the new Pegaso 650 Factory.

The standard Pegaso gets new colors.

Husqvarna STR 650 CTC Supermotard

2006-11-21T11:33:00.000-08:00

Although Husqvarna is one of the smallest motorcycle manufacturers that we can think of off-hand, they have the advantage of being owned by MV Agusta, which gives them access to the resources of their parent company - including the talents of famed designer Massimo Tamburini (who sketched two of the most iconic designs of the modern era, the Ducati 916 and MV Agusta F4).

Husqvarna combined Tamburini's design talents with their own skill in producing supermoto machines (their competition models are reputed to be top-notch) to create the STR 650 CRC. Aimed at producing a bike with the heart and feel of a supermoto, but somewhat more streetable than a pure 450/510 competition machine, the STR 650 shows an interesting mix of styling influence - elements of both sportbike and supermoto racer are visible.