Tag Archives: motorcycles

13-year old motorcycle racer killed during warm-up lap at Indy

Posted on 30. Aug, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing

peter lenz motorcycle crash

Tragic events unfolded at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend when Peter Lenz, 13, was killed after falling off of his motorcycle and being hit by another rider during a warm-up lap.

Ben Spies, who took second place during Sunday’s MotoGP event, commented on the unfortunate events:

“I told myself before the race, I was riding my heart out for him today. I’ve lost a teammate in the past, my best friend. He was at an age at least he knew what he was doing; he obviously loved it. He knew how dangerous it could be.

Lenz was set to compete in a USGPRU series race, which is for riders ages 12 to 18 who would like to gain experience for higher-level competitions like MotoGP. This was the first fatality in the nine-year history of USGPRU. Our condolences go out to Lenz’s family and friends.

[Source: The Indianapolis Star | Image: Facebook]

13-year old motorcycle racer killed during warm-up lap at Indy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:57:00 EST.

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Ben Spies moves to Yamaha MotoGP Factory Team

Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing

Ben Spies in front of Indy Motor Speedway Hall of Fame

Shocking, we know. What’s been called the second-worst kept secret in MotoGP has officially been confirmed. MotoGP rookie and current World Superbike champion Ben Spies (shown at right, with Yamaha’s Lin Jarvis) will be saddling up with the factory Yamaha crew starting next year. Rumors to that effect have been buzzing around the inteweb for some time and were recently fueled by Valentino Rossi’s departure from the Fiat-Yamaha stable in favor of the Ducati Corse team.

Spies has been an absolute terror on two wheels in MotoGP while riding with the Tech 3 Yamaha team. The Texan is currently 7th in the overall standings thanks to a slew of top 5 finishes, and even managed to podium at Silverstone. Not too shabby for the guy’s first year out. There’s some indication that he’ll be riding alongside Jorge Lorenzo, though Yamaha hasn’t solidified anything with the Spaniard just yet.

Those who follow the MotoGP world will have likely noticed the conspicuous lack of a certain prefix from this post. Interestingly enough, ‘Fiat’ was nowhere to be found in the Spies announcement. Odds are we’ll be hearing something about that from the former Fiat-Yamaha team sometime soon. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Continue reading Ben Spies moves to Yamaha MotoGP Factory Team

Ben Spies moves to Yamaha MotoGP Factory Team originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST.

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Remy and MotoCzysz announce D1g1tal Dr1ve EV powertrain

Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Technology, Motorcycle, Electric

MotoCzysz E1pc – Click above for high-res image gallery

Remy International, a company known mainly for its work with electric motors, has teamed up with MotoCzysz to develop an integrated electric drive system that will feature Remy’s High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor technology paired with MotoCzysz’s patent-pending cooling and integration technology.

MotoCzysz head Michael Czysz used a Remy motor to good effect in his E1pc electric motorcycle, which won both the TT Zero at the Isle of Man and the FIM e-Power race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Clearly, MotoCzysz knows how to extract performance from Remy’s electric motors.

The unfortunately named D1g1tal Dr1ve will utilize a liquid-cooled Remy internal permanent magnet (IPM) motor that puts out 250 pound-feet of torque along with 100 kW (135 horsepower) at a remarkable efficiency of 93 percent (measured at the rotor). Upgrades to future models of the D1g1tal Dr1ve will include units with more power and smaller size.

Perhaps what’s most interesting about this partnership is that the powertrain technology is designed so that it can be used in all kinds of vehicles, from motorcycles to automobiles. The companies say it will be ready by the second quarter of 2011. Check out all the details in the press release after the break.

[Source: Remy International, Inc.]

Continue reading Remy and MotoCzysz announce D1g1tal Dr1ve EV powertrain

Remy and MotoCzysz announce D1g1tal Dr1ve EV powertrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:58:00 EST.

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Video: KTM teases new 125cc heathen

Posted on 25. Aug, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Performance, Etc., Videos, Motorcycle

KTM 125cc teaser – Click above to watch video after the jump

The poor little 125cc bikes of the universe rarely get the love of their larger-displacement siblings. Typically banished to the rider education programs of the world, the one-and-a-quarters are quickly forgotten in favor of bikes with more serious muscle. But 125’s have their advantages. For one thing, they’re typically a fraction of the cost of larger bikes, and since that tiny engine weighs next to nothing, they’re also incredibly flingable contraptions. So when KTM showed off a pair of four-stroke 125cc concepts at last year’s EICMA show in Milan, our curiosity was sufficiently piqued.

Now KTM has dropped a teaser video showing development of the production model. The Austrian manufacturer hasn’t said word one about whether the bike will be available on American shores once it drops, though we’ve got our fingers crossed. The wrench-spinning montage of bike-building awesomeness after the jump has only made us nervously eye our checking account in anticipation. We could think of plenty worse ways to get to and from the office than a fuel-sipping moto with plenty of spunk to boot. Hit the jump to have a look for yourself.

[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]

Continue reading Video: KTM teases new 125cc heathen

Video: KTM teases new 125cc heathen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:31:00 EST.

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Video: Jay Leno rolls like a million bucks on $80,000 BlackTrail BT-01

Posted on 13. Aug, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Videos, Motorcycle, Specialty, Electric


BlackTrail BT-01 – Click above to watch video after the jump

You know who you are. You care deeply about the environment and know the importance of looking cool. Also, you’ve got buckets of cash. You’ve been waiting to throw down $80 grand on a Fisker Karma but you’re tired of the seemingly endless delays. Well, here’s another eco-friendly vehicle on which to spend that stack o’ cash – the BlackTrail BT-01.

Yes, it’s a bicycle. But it’s not just any bicycle. This, my affluent amigo, is an avant-garde, hybrid-electric piece of rolling retro art. It’s got a classic leather saddle with matching handlebar grips, power pack cover and valve stem covers. We repeat, leather-wrapped valve stem covers! Oh yes, it also comes with its own theft deterrent device in the form of a set of leather-padded handcuffs. You heard us.

What, you want more? Okay. It’s got integrated LED lights front and rear. OLED display with speed indicator and battery status. At its 30-50 km/h (20-30 miles per hour) cruising speed it will carry you 160 – 200km (100 – 120 miles). If that’s too pokey, you can travel 25 – 30 miles at its maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph)!

While it’s not yet offered for sale in America, we expect it soon will be. Production is limited to 667 units with at least 41 already being sold at €59,500 ($75,930 U.S. at today’s exchange rate). Throw in the airfare to go get it and you’re looking at $80,000.

Hit the jump for a better look at this breakthrough bicycle with someone who could actually afford to buy one if he wanted to, Jay Leno. Scroll a little further down for bonus video of an on-sidewalk presentation.

[Source: PG-Bikes via Engadget]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno rolls like a million bucks on $80,000 BlackTrail BT-01

Video: Jay Leno rolls like a million bucks on $80,000 BlackTrail BT-01 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST.

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The New Husqvarna TC/TE 449 Have Been Introduced

Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by admin.

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Last week the new, revolutionary Husqvarna TC/TE 449 and 511 have been introduced to the International press. From technical point of view the new range goes beyond the characteristics common to many off road models and it differentiates immediately in design, exclusive layout of the chassis and well-advanced technical solutions.




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Harley-Davidson announces sale of MV Agusta to Claudio Castiglioni

Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Europe, Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle

2010 MV Agusta Brutale 990R – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’d heard the rumors and now it’s official. Harley-Davidson has announced that it has sold the MV Agusta brand to Claudio Castiglioni and his wholly owned holding company, MV Agusta Motor Holding, S.r.l. For those who aren’t exactly up on their boutique Italian motorcycle history, Castiglioni is the same man H-D bought the company from back in 2008 and had been serving as company chairman ever since.

No actual financial data has yet been announced, but rumors from Italy have it that the Italian businessman isn’t actually paying anything more than a single symbolic euro for the storied motorcycle manufacturer and may even be getting some additional financial support from Harley-Davidson for the foreseeable future.

Couple those reports with the realization that H-D payed $109 million for MV Agusta just two years ago and subsequently spent big money to revamp the Italian manufacturer’s product lineup and it’s easy to see that the Milwaukee-based company is coming out the biggest loser in this exchange.

Harley is showing no (official) hard feelings, though. “MV Agusta is a proud brand and we wish Mr. Castiglioni and the company’s employees well,” Harley-Davidson President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell said in a statement. Feel free to peruse the official press release after the break.

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson announces sale of MV Agusta to Claudio Castiglioni

Harley-Davidson announces sale of MV Agusta to Claudio Castiglioni originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:57:00 EST.

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Tron Legacy Pro Street CBR R1 Lightcycle for sale on eBay

Posted on 31. Jul, 2010 by admin.

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Posted on 06.30.2010 15:21
by
Simona

Filed under:
| sportsbikes | Motorcycles | Motorcycle News

When the new Tron Legacy movie will hit theaters in December, the biggest surprise will be the Lightcycles, first introduced in the 1982 movie. The motorcycle is used in a father-son attempt to escape from the world where Bridges has been trapped for 25 years. But that’s in the movie. In real world, Custom Built Motorcycles – the same who built the “Batpod” replica – is offering you the chance to ride a Pro Street Light Cycle replica for $35k.

There will be only 5 units built. Each bike will be black with an accent color – 5 bikes with 5 different accent colors (red, blue, yellow, green, and orange).

The wheels are custom made 22″ x12″ dual hubless wheels with custom made tires. The motorcycle will be offered with either an electric motor or a high performance gasoline motor and transmission depending on the buyers needs. It will be built for everyday street use.

Tron Legacy Pro Street CBR R1 Lightcycle for sale on eBay originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 30 June 2010 15:21 EST.

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Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart moving from off-road trucks to… electric bikes?

Posted on 30. Jul, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Motorcycle, Electric, Racing

Off-road racing fans will no doubt be familiar with the name Ivan “Ironman” Stewart, winner of 17 Baja 500s and three Baja 1000s over his 37-year career. Apparently, even an iron man can only take so much pounding and Stewart has decided it’s time to ride off silently into the sunset.

Stewart has decided to auction virtually all of his off-road racing memorabilia, race truck building business and vehicles. Instead of pounding dirt, Stewart will be peddling electric bicycles out of a new shop in San Diego, California.

The Ivan Stewart Electric Bike Center will sell, service and rent battery-powered bicycles from an initial shop in downtown San Diego, followed by two additional stores in La Jolla and Del Mar to the north.

[Source: San Diego Union-Tribune via PickupTrucks.com]

Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart moving from off-road trucks to… electric bikes? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST.

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Harley Davidson targeting skateboarders with new model?

Posted on 27. Jul, 2010 by admin.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Motorcycle

2010 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight, in the company’s Sportster segment, sits at a cross-cultural intersection in the cyclemaker’s lineup. It apparently represents the spot where bikers meet skateboarders. It seems that the stripped-down looks and functional-jewelry design of the Forty-Eight is well appreciated by skaters who don’t like their rides to make any extraneous fuss.

The bike is only one small part of what some call a larger trend, that of skateboarders increasingly moving into the world of bikes. It isn’t that skateboarders want to be bikers but, according to a skate shop owner, “We’re just wired a certain way. For some reason the death and danger are just a part of us.” And you don’t have to look any further than a motorcycle to find death and danger.

Harley has used the rendezvous to help market the Forty-Eight, including hiring skaters like Heath Kirchart and Matt Ball to appear in its promotional materials. The Milwaukee firm isn’t targeting skateboarders only with this bike, but they certainly want to welcome them to the family. Said a Harley rep, “There’s no question that there are huge parallels there between bikers and skateboarders.” Tip of the cap to Alex!

[Source: The New York Times]

Harley Davidson targeting skateboarders with new model? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST.

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