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Reigning MotoGP champion Casey Stoner is just 26 years old, but has been riding in the FIM series since 2001 when he joined the 125cc ranks. Five years later, the Australian was in the headlining formula series with Honda, the year after that, in 2007, he won the title astride a Ducati. Last year, Stoner won it again with Honda, and even battling an issue with his arm this year, he’s atop the standings and leading his rivals in practice sessions for this weekend’s French GP at Le Mans.

But Stoner used yesterday’s GP press conference to announce his retirement at the end of this year. The Australian says the sport had gone in a direction that doesn’t interest him and that he simply isn’t enjoying it enough to continue the sacrifices necessary to be competitive at the top level. Speculation is that he wants to spend time with his wife and daughter, and perhaps that he plans to drive in the Australian V8 Supercar series.

Fellow Aussie and MotoGP legen Mick Doohan said he doesn’t believe just yet that Stoner will actually ride off into farm life. Even so, the fact that the current World Champion is unhappy enough to publicly announce the end of his career is a shock to the MotoGP world. Have a look below for a video news report on Stoner’s announcement.

Continue reading MotoGP champ Casey Stoner stuns with retirement announcement [w/video]

MotoGP champ Casey Stoner stuns with retirement announcement [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here are some interesting motorcycle related articles you may have missed during the last week that could amuse you.

- Riding in a Group: Rules and Etiquette (Zig Wheels)
- A History Of The BMW Motorcycle (Motorcycle Insurance)
- The Things Bikers Need To Have In Their Garage (Motorcycle Blog From Jafrum)
- World’s Only Vincent Museum (Southsiders)
- A Fly In My Eye: Why Electric Motorcycles Are Stupid (2 Wheel Tuesday)
- Women, Motorcycles And The Road To Empowerment (Sojourn Chronicles)
- Too Much Oil In Your Motorcycle Engine (Motorcycle Thailand)
- E Bike Ennui? I May Have The Cure (RevGirl)

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Here’s a vintage Vespa TV commercial, from the days that things were so much simpler. No helmets, wicker picnic baskets and reasonable prices.

I presume the advertisement is British.

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The Honda CT110 is one of those reliable motorcycle you can see riding around the country side, clocking up many miles. Used not only by people who want a low cost and reliable transportation, but often used by organizations like the Post Office (in Australia and New Zealand it’s called a “Postie Bike”)..

Manufacturing started in 1980, and the motorcycle is still being made today. 4 stroke and air cooled, it’s very reliable. But it’s bland. Very bland. The bike almost can’t be seen, that is how bland it is.

Until Melbourne, Australia based Post Modern Motorcycles got their hands on them. These guys customize the “bland” motorcycles into something more exciting. Not that you’ll be able to race them, but at the very least you’ll be able to ride to your local watering hole without feeling ashamed.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story…….

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Interesting patent that got filed October last year. The idea is nifty, but the application a bit iffy.

The patent is for an electric front wheel drive for a conventional, gas guzzling, motorcycle. We’ve seen several 2 wheel drive motorcycles, but all use hydraulics to power the front wheel. Making the front wheel electrically powered can be interesting, since it should save in cost and weight.

The electric front wheel drive would be coupled to a controller that works in sync with the rear drive and engine. The controller would regulate the speeds of both wheels, making sure one does not run faster, or slower, than the other.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story…….

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If your scooter sleeps outside during the night, especially in the winter, here’s something you can make to keep it warm…

.. or you can just use it as it was intended to be used, decoration. The scooter is a crochet, but you can not buy it. No, you’re going to have to work for it. You buy the pattern, and then you spend the next weeks crocheting the thing together.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story…….

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Posted on 05.17.2012 09:00 by Sulthoni Filed under: Ducati | supersports | auction | Ducati Pantah | Motorcycles | Motorcycle Reviews | Ducati

Alongside the 500, 600, and 650 Pantahs in the early 1980s was a range of 350s specifically produced for the Italian market to accommodate a tax break for motorcycles below 350 cc. The 350 XL was one of Ducati’s parts-bin specialties and essentially a 500 SL with a 600 TL handlebar fairing and higher handlebars. More was sourced from the SL Pantah than the TL, including instruments, instrument panel, and rear-set foot-pegs.

The 350 engine was a downsized 500 SL, with smaller valves (33.5 mm inlet and 30.5 mm exhaust). The Dell’Orto carburetors were smaller (30 mm), and there were new camshafts. The lower end, including the five-speed gearbox and wet cable-operated clutch, was identical to the later 500 SL, and the exhaust system was Silentium. The power was still a healthy 40 horsepower at 9,600 rpm. The 350 XL chassis was also very similar to the 500 SL, with gold FPS wheels, Paioli suspension, and small 05-series Brembo front brake calipers. Attractively styled in red and black, the 350 XL was capable of around 170 km/h. The 350 XL offered here is in excellent original condition, with nice paint and chrome.

The Ducati XL350 Pantah was estimated to bring in between €3,000-€5,000, but it actually brought in €585, which is about $745 at the current rates.

Ducati XL350 Pantah originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 17 May 2012 09:00 EST.

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For those of you who are like me, and can not sit through a whole hour in front of the TV seeing a motorcycle being built, or restored, here’s the fast way.

A guy in India, with the help of some friends, restored a 1978 Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle from the ground up. He filmed the whole process, from start to finish, and using time-lapse, you can see his endeavor in only 2 minutes. Pretty impressive. In real life, it took 45 days.

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