Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Australia to wage crushing war on 'monkey bikes']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/report-australia-to-wage-crushing-war-on-monkey-bikes/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/report-australia-to-wage-crushing-war-on-monkey-bikes/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/report-australia-to-wage-crushing-war-on-monkey-bikes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Attention Australian mini bike riders: law enforcement is going all "iron fist" on your preferred method of transportation. The mini bikes, often referred to locally as "monkey bikes" are a big problem in South Australia, reportedly causing several deaths and numerous injuries. The bikes, which can reach speeds of 70 km/h (42 mph), are already outlawed, but now Drive is reporting that Attorney-General Michael Atkinson is amending the law to give law enforcement the authority to crush the bikes and charge fines of up to $5,000 AUD. That's a lot of coin to ride a bike that makes you look like a total dork.

Atkinson says the bikes look harmless, but "they are actually dangerous for riders, pedestrians, other vehicles on the road and other people using parks and open spaces." The primate bikes, which we don't believe are actually driven by monkeys (koalas, perhaps?), do not comply with Australian vehicle safety standards or design rules.

We've actually tried these mini bikes before, and while they're a lot of fun, we can see why they are dangerous. They're hard for other motorists to see, and we've noticed that a lot of parents letting their 10-15 year-old children ride them around the suburbs. Probably not a good idea.

[Source: Drive | Image: Monkeybike UK]

REPORT: Australia to wage crushing war on 'monkey bikes' originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiamini bikmini bikeMiniBikMiniBikemonkey bikeMonkeyBikemotorcycleThu, 12 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[CR&S DUU Concept is a mototerminator for the rest of us]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/crands-duu-concept-is-a-mototerminator-for-the-rest-of-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/crands-duu-concept-is-a-mototerminator-for-the-rest-of-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/crands-duu-concept-is-a-mototerminator-for-the-rest-of-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,

CR&S DUU Concept-- Click above for high-res image gallery

Those of you who had the stomach to sit through Terminator Salvation with your eyes open will remember the mototerminators that launched themselves from the legs of the giant collectors. Those were actually based on Ducatis, but if you fancied the look of them, then Italian bike builder CR&S has something pretty close.

Called the DUU Concept, the naked ride is a combination of "a sporty European rolling chassis powered by a muscular American big-twin." The engine is a 1.9-liter (117 cu. in.) X-Wedge supplied by S&S. Wrapped around that powerplant is a chassis that CR&S says can be tailored by the customer - although they don't indicate how beyond presenting the choice of single or two-seater versions.

But since each DUU will be made by hand, one-at-a-time, we imagine they'll be happy to do anything your wallet will allow. The DUU Concept is being unveiled November 10 at the Milan International Bike Show. CR&S said it has plans to build them from next year, at €20,000 ($30,000 U.S.) apiece. Check it out in the gallery of high-res images below.


Gallery: CR&S DUU Concept


[Source: CR&S Motorcycles]

CR&S DUU Concept is a mototerminator for the rest of us originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crsDucatiduuduu conceptDuuConceptMilan International Bike ShowMilanInternationalBikeShowmotorcyclemototerminatorterminatorterminator salvationTerminatorSalvationX-wedgeMon, 09 Nov 2009 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ducati finally unveils 2010 Multistrada 1200 at EICMA]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/ducati-finally-unveils-2010-multistrada-1200-at-eicma/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/ducati-finally-unveils-2010-multistrada-1200-at-eicma/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/ducati-finally-unveils-2010-multistrada-1200-at-eicma/#commentsFiled under:

2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 - Click above for high-res image gallery

After months of rumors, grainy spy shots and leaked information, Ducati has finally pulled the wraps off its 2010 Multistrada 1200. As with the original MTS, Ducati wanted to create a machine with sportbike-level performance that could be attained on nearly any kind of surface terrain. This time, though, the Italian manufacturer started with its latest liquid-cooled Testastretta powerplant as used in the top-level 1198 superbike, athough altered with revised valve overlap for smoother power delivery and a 15-percent improvement in fuel consumption and emissions.

Ducati says the new Multistrada 1200 is "four bikes in one," and has thus bestowed its new motorcycle with four distinct Riding Modes that alter power and traction control levels: Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro. Sport mode offers the full 150-horsepower experience with a low amount of traction control and Touring mode is intended for everyday riding. Urban and Enduro modes tone things down several notches to 100 horsepower - and opting for the latter also raises the suspension and sets the traction control to its least-active setting.

Uplevel S models get a new Ducati Electronic Suspension setup that can be tailored to adjust spring pre-load along with rebound and compression damping with options for rider only, rider with luggage, rider and passenger or rider and passenger with luggage. Ducati says that the Multistrada 1200's 417-pound dry weight is the lowest in its class, though a full 5.3-gallon load of fuel (enough for 186 miles between fill-ups) would certainly raise that a bit. Pricing starts at $14,995 before any options are added. Hit the jump for the rest of the details and check out our high-res image gallery below.


Gallery: 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200


[Source: Ducati]

Continue reading Ducati finally unveils 2010 Multistrada 1200 at EICMA

Ducati finally unveils 2010 Multistrada 1200 at EICMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ducati multistrada 12002010DucatiMultistrada1200cycleducatiducati multistrada 1200DucatiMultistrada1200eicmaeicma 2009Eicma2009motorbikemotorcyclemultistradamultistrada 1200Multistrada1200Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW unleashes 2010 R 1200 GS with DOHC boxer engine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/bmw-unleashes-2010-r-1200-gs-with-dohc-boxer-engine/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/bmw-unleashes-2010-r-1200-gs-with-dohc-boxer-engine/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/bmw-unleashes-2010-r-1200-gs-with-dohc-boxer-engine/#commentsFiled under: ,

2010 BMW R 1200 GS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Anyone who follows motorcycling would likely tell you that BMW's R 1200 GS sets the standard when it comes to building a proper adventure touring motorcycle - and with good reason. As we found out when we threw a leg over the 2009 edition, BMW's big air-cooled mule can pretty much go anywhere the rider points it, and it'll tackle gnarly off-road conditions with just as much aplomb as it attacks paved back roads and long stretches of superslab.

Still, nothing is perfect (we actually sorta prefer the little brother F 800 GS off the road), and BMW saw fit to update its best-seller for the 2010 model year with a revised boxer engine that now sports dual-overhead cams. That's a major modification and it allowed BMW to locate five-percent more horsepower than the previous mill. Those 110 galloping ponies join 88 lb-ft of torque that BMW says is spread more evenly throughout the rev range than before. We'll take it - more power is always a good thing, right?

As you'd expect, there's also an upgraded R 1200 GS Adventure model for those who truly need the most capable bike they can get their grubby mitts on. Updates over the standard model include spoked (not cast) wheels, greater suspension travel and a monster 8.7-gallon fuel tank. See both new models in all their glory in our image galleries below.


Gallery: 2010 BMW R 1200 GS


Gallery: 2010 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure


[Source: BMW]

BMW unleashes 2010 R 1200 GS with DOHC boxer engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1200cc2010 bmw r 1200 gs2010 bmw r 1200 gs adventure2010BmwR1200Gs2010BmwR1200GsAdventurebmwbmw r 1200 gsBmwR1200Gsmotorbikemotorcycler 1200 gsr 1200 gs adventureR1200GsR1200GsAdventureFri, 06 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Review: Ducati Sport 1000 lives up to its heritage]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/review-ducati-sport-1000-lives-up-to-its-heritage/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/review-ducati-sport-1000-lives-up-to-its-heritage/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/review-ducati-sport-1000-lives-up-to-its-heritage/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ducati Sport 1000 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ducati. It's a name full of racing heritage and tradition, but it hasn't always been that way. The company's roots are much more humble, first by selling radio equipment before moving into the world of two wheels with a quaint motorized bicycle dubbed the Cucciolo - meaning "puppy" in Italiano - because of its cuddly exhaust note. Needless to say, there was no way of knowing in the early 1950s that the brand would go on to become one of the most successful grand prix racing companies in the world. But we're sure glad it did.

Racing success came early and often in the '70s for the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, and in 1972 Ducati won the Imola 200 with an air-cooled 750cc L-twin engine wrapped in a cradle-type frame. These are the bikes that Ducati sought to replicate with the SportClassic range that first debuted in concept form at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show and finally went into production in 2006. Living up to a legend is never an easy task, so when we managed to get our greasy mitts on a brand-new 2009 Sport 1000 for a couple of weeks, we wasted no time getting familiar with this sleek black machine. Follow the jump to see what we thought.


Gallery: Review: Ducati Sport 1000


Photos copyright (C)2009 Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: Ducati Sport 1000 lives up to its heritage

Review: Ducati Sport 1000 lives up to its heritage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ducatiducati sport 1000DucatiSport1000featuredmotorcyclemotorcyclesreviewreviewssport 1000Sport1000Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/rumormill-volkswagen-interested-in-ducati-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/rumormill-volkswagen-interested-in-ducati-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/rumormill-volkswagen-interested-in-ducati-still/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ducati 1098R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Rumors of a possible motorcycle brand for Volkswagen aren't anything new. It's a well-known fact that Ferdinand Piëch, Chairman of Volkswagen's Board, wishes that the German automaker had purchased Ducati back in 1985 when the Italian bike manufacturer was in dire financial shape.

As recently as last year, Piëch - himself a Ducati rider even at age 72 - commented that Volkswagen could still purchase an unnamed motorcycle manufacturer if the conditions were right. Strike up the rumormill again, boys and girls. The Italian motoring press is reportedly signaling that Volkswagen is making renewed overtures toward Ducati, which, like pretty much all other motorcycle manufacturers these days, is seeing sales and profits take a dive due to the sorry state of the global economy.

Just a few weeks back at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Piëch indicated that the Volkswagen Group was looking to expand, and some took that to mean it would procure a sizable stake in Suziki, another long-rumored target of the German automaker. KTM, maker of the bonkers X-Bow roadster, has also been bandied about as a potential partner. So, is there any truth to the two-wheeled VW rumors? We'll see how it all pans out soon enough, but we're not exactly holding our breath.


Gallery: Ducati 1098 R


[Source: Clutch and Chrome]

Rumormill: Volkswagen interested in Ducati... still originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ducatiducati vwDucatiVwferdinand Pichferdinand piechFerdinandPichFerdinandPiechmotorcyclePichPiechvolkswagenvolkswagen ducativolkswagen ktmvolkswagen motorcyclevolkswagen suzukiVolkswagenDucatiVolkswagenKtmVolkswagenMotorcycleVolkswagenSuzukivwvw ktmvw motorcyclevw suzukiVwKtmVwMotorcycleVwSuzukiThu, 15 Oct 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW gets back into the leaning trike thing with SIMPLE concept [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/09/bmw-simple-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/09/bmw-simple-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/09/bmw-simple-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

BMW SIMPLE concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has been rumored as of late to be pursuing everything from a so-called "0 Series" range of cars to a revival of its Isetta microcar brand, but the Bavarian automaker remains essentially mum on plans to diversify into the microcar market. Stoking the fires, however, is the new Simple concept, a leaning trike that is geared toward the "professional commuter" - that is, an urban dweller who travels alone.

From the start, the SIMPLE (which stands for: "Sustainable and Innovative Mobility Product for Low Energy consumption") was designed to minimize resources both in use and in production. The leaning concept is tall as a 5 Series, yet shorter than a Mini Cooper, and it offers seating space similar to that of a 3 Series coupe.

That tidy footprint and a slick drag coefficient of just 0.18 means that the Simple figures to be around 450 kilograms (under 1,000 pounds), so it only needs a small internal-combustion engine and an electric motor to power it. BMW says the Simple is capable of hitting 100 km/h - 62 mph - in under ten seconds and it tops out at over 200 km/h (124 mph), yet it needs a miserly 2 liters of gas over 100 km (62 miles), or around 118 mpg.

This isn't the first time BMW has investigated thrifty trikes - it actually began working on its CLEVER ("Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transport") concept back in 2002 in conjunction with the Berlin's Technical University, a project that took the form of a compressed natural gas trike with a CVT.

While there are no plans for production of either the SIMPLE or the CLEVER, BMW's expertise in motorcycles and its increasingly prominent Efficient Dynamics initiative doesn't have us ruling out a similar vehicle sometime down the road. In the meantime, you'll have to make the pilgrimage to the BMW Museum to check out BMW's SIMPLE and CLEVER contraptions. Check out the high-res gallery below and a video and press release after the jump.


Gallery: BMW SIMPLE Concept


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW gets back into the leaning trike thing with SIMPLE concept [w/VIDEO]

BMW gets back into the leaning trike thing with SIMPLE concept [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bimmerBMWBMW CLEVERBMW MuseumBMW SimpleBmwCleverBmwMuseumBmwSimpleclever conceptCleverConceptCNGCNG bikeCngBikecommutercommutinghybridMotorcycleSimple conceptSimpleConcepttrikeFri, 09 Oct 2009 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[NYT straps on its helmet and wades into the brain bucket controversy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/nyt-straps-on-its-helmet-and-wades-into-the-brain-bucket-controv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/nyt-straps-on-its-helmet-and-wades-into-the-brain-bucket-controv/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/nyt-straps-on-its-helmet-and-wades-into-the-brain-bucket-controv/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



There's a bit of controversy going on in the helmet world, and it has a direct impact - pun intended - on every motorcycle rider trying to protect his or her head while looking for the best helmet to buy. All helmets approved for sale in the United States are tested and approved by the Department of Transportation, and wear a DOT sticker to certify the fact. The issue is with the additional SNELL Memorial Foundation certification that some helmets have.

According to The New York Times, in order to attain the SNELL M2005 certification, a helmet needs to be able to withstand that impact of a small steel sphere, twice, with the headform inside the helmet experiencing less than 300 times the force of gravity (300 g's). That's a huge amount of force, and it has led to SNELL M2005 helmets being so exceptionally rigid that some head injury researchers believe riders are suffering brain damage because of it. Also, SNELL doesn't use headforms of different weights, so riders with small heads can especially disadvantaged because of the disproportionate forces they'll encounter in such a firm helmet.

Some helmet companies and doctors and the U.S. and European helmet certification authorities believe that the SNELL M2005 test is obsolete, and that helmets should be "softer, softer, softer." SNELL has admitted to the need to update its test, and will be unveiling the M2010 standard shortly. The problem is that the M2005 standard helmets will continue to be sold in America until 2012. They won't be able to be sold in Europe until SNELL re-engineers its test to allow for more forgiving headgear. For you riders out there, do your homework, ask around, and make sure to buy the helmet that's right for you. A cranium is a terrible thing to waste.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: SNELL Memorial Foundation]

NYT straps on its helmet and wades into the brain bucket controversy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of transportationDepartmentOfTransportationdoteuropegovernmenthelmetmotorcyclesafetysnellsnell memorial foundationSnellMemorialFoundationMon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Chris Pfeiffer takes his BMW freestylin' ways to company headquarters]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/13/video-chris-pfeiffer-takes-his-bmw-freestylin-ways-to-company/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/13/video-chris-pfeiffer-takes-his-bmw-freestylin-ways-to-company/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/13/video-chris-pfeiffer-takes-his-bmw-freestylin-ways-to-company/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chris Pfeiffer does tricks atop the BMW Tower -- Click above to watch video

Freestyle rider Chris Pfeiffer took a BMW F 800 R to the top of the 22-story BMW Tower in Munich, then decided to play around with it. What that means is two minutes and ten seconds of gymnastic 2-wheeled goodness that would be impressive enough were it happening at ground level. Speaking of the ground, our favorite part might come on the first floor, before Pfeiffer gets in the elevator and rides by a BMW employee whose look says "I'll just pretend I didn't see that..." Follow the jump to see the vid.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading VIDEO: Chris Pfeiffer takes his BMW freestylin' ways to company headquarters

VIDEO: Chris Pfeiffer takes his BMW freestylin' ways to company headquarters originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw f 800 rbmw towerBmwF800RBmwTowerchris pfeifferChrisPfeifferf 800 rF800RmotorcyclemunichvideoSun, 13 Sep 2009 18:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda to launch first-ever dual clutch gearbox for motorcycles with new VFR]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/honda-to-launch-first-ever-dual-clutch-gearbox-for-motorcycles-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/honda-to-launch-first-ever-dual-clutch-gearbox-for-motorcycles-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/honda-to-launch-first-ever-dual-clutch-gearbox-for-motorcycles-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Honda Dual Clutch Transmission - Click above to enlarge

When Honda's upcoming VFR1200 hits the American and European markets in 2010, the new sports tourer will be equipped with the first dual clutch transmission designed for the two-wheeled market. Like the highly-regarded DSG transmissions from Volkswagen and Audi, two separate clutches inside the gearbox act on the even gears (two, four and six) and the odd gears (one, three and five).

Honda promises both improved performance and efficiency from the dual clutch design. Three operating modes can be selected from the gearbox: D-Mode when regular automatic operation is desired, S-Mode for sportier performance and a fully manual mode that works just like a traditional six-speed sequential manual gearbox.

Though the transmission will debut on the new VFR, Honda says the technology can be applied to existing engines and platforms already in Honda sportbike lineup. We can't say for sure what "traditional markets" Honda is referring to, but we're thinking there's a decent chance a dual clutch box could soon make an appearance in the CBR line. As for Honda's automobile offerings? Not quite yet. Hit the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Honda to launch first-ever dual clutch gearbox for motorcycles with new VFR

Honda to launch first-ever dual clutch gearbox for motorcycles with new VFR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondahonda dual clutchhonda dual clutch gearboxhonda vfrhonda vfr 1200honda vfr1200HondaDualClutchHondaDualClutchGearboxHondaVfrHondaVfr1200motorcyclemotorcycle dual clutch gearboxmotorcycle gearboxMotorcycleDualClutchGearboxMotorcycleGearboxmotorcyclesTue, 08 Sep 2009 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Monterey 2009: Pebble Beach adds motorcycle parking]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/monterey-2009-pebble-beach-adds-motorcycle-parking/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/monterey-2009-pebble-beach-adds-motorcycle-parking/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/monterey-2009-pebble-beach-adds-motorcycle-parking/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Vintage British motorcycles at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the first time in its 59 runnings, the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance hosted a class of motorcycles. With a tip of the hat to the legendary Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races, British bikes were selected for this inaugural class outing.

Entrants ranged from a 1913 Premier 3-1/2 hp 3 speed to a 1957 Manx Norton Featherbed 40M (above). A gorgeous 1956 Ariel Square 4 with Garrard enclosed sidecar, 1938 Triumph Speed Twin, 1954 A.J.S. E-95 Porcupine, 1953 Matchless G45, and a pair of Vincents were among the many highlights.

The two Vincents were the 1947 Vincent-HRD Series B Rapide Special and the 1948 Vincent-HRD Black Shadow Special. "Gunga Din" and "Black Lightning," as they are better known, were truly extraordinary. They even had that famous photo of Rollie Free stripped to his bathing suit, lying flat out on the Black Lightning while he set a Bonneville speed record at 150 mph back in 1948! See for yourself in our gallery below.


Gallery: Pebble Beach 2009: Vintage British Motorcycles


Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

Monterey 2009: Pebble Beach adds motorcycle parking originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Black LightningBlackLightninggunga dinGungaDinmonterey 2009Monterey2009motorcyclemotorcyclesnortonpebblepebble beachpebble beach concours delegancePebbleBeachPebbleBeachConcoursDeleganceVincentWed, 19 Aug 2009 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[MotoGP: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Preview]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/motogp-red-bull-u-s-grand-prix-preview/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/motogp-red-bull-u-s-grand-prix-preview/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/motogp-red-bull-u-s-grand-prix-preview/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 MotoGP Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Since 2005, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has played host to the MotoGP race series, and this year Autoblog is happy to be in attendance at this year's Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. So far, it's been quite an entertaining weekend, with plenty of excitement both in the practice and qualifying sessions. Nicky Hayden, the fan favorite and winner of the 2005 and 2006 races, put his bike into the dirt during the practice session on Saturday morning and managed to only qualify eighth in his Ducati.

Dominating the weekend so far is the Fiat Yamaha duo of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Lorenzo was fastest in both sessions and captured the pole, but crashed twice during qualifying and was taken to the medical center with a dislocated shoulder and a bruised right foot. With Lorenzo in doubt for the race and third place qualifier Casey Stoner suffering a crash as well, it looks as though Rossi is likely to defend his win from last year and extend his points lead in the championship. Be sure to browse through our high-res gallery below, and check back for more updates from the race weekend.


Gallery: MotoGP: 2009 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Preview


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

MotoGP: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix Preview originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredMazda Raceway Laguna SecaMazdaRacewayLagunaSecaMotoGPMotoGP 2009Motogp2009motorcyclemotorcyclesRed Bull U.S. Grand PrixRedBullU.s.GrandPrixSun, 05 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Born to be Bentley: One-off Crewe chopper]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/04/born-to-be-bentley-one-off-crewe-chopper/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/04/born-to-be-bentley-one-off-crewe-chopper/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/04/born-to-be-bentley-one-off-crewe-chopper/#commentsFiled under: ,



As similar as the two industries are, there aren't as many automobile/motorcycle crossovers as you might otherwise think. A handful of carmakers (Honda, Suzuki, Peugeot, BMW, Triumph once upon a time...) also make motorcycles. Ford has their Harley-Davidson edition F-Series pick-up trucks. Some small sports cars use motorcycle engines, and there are some big motorcycles (really big) that use car engines. Fiat sponsors world champion Valentino Rossi's MotoGP Yamaha bike. And, once in a while, we see a custom chopper decked out to look like a particular automobile. We've eyeballed our share of Ferrari-inspired motorbikes, but this is something else entirely: a Bentley chopper.

Of course, there's nothing particularly Bentley about this chopper other than the trim, so don't go expecting a 6.75-liter V8 or a twin-turbo W12 sprung between two wheels. But the fit and finish look rather impressive. The greenish-grey paint finish is complemented by a soft tan leather saddle and capped with a "Flying B" emblem on the gas tank. Pretty sweet ride from the look of things, and even if it is a one-off, it's one more link between between motor vehicles with two wheels and those with four.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Born to be Bentley: One-off Crewe chopper originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley chopperBentleyChopperchoppercustom chopperCustomChoppermotorbikemotorcycleSat, 04 Jul 2009 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorcyclist sues NY State Police over motorbike-only roadblocks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/motorcyclist-sues-ny-state-police-over-motorbike-only-roadblocks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/motorcyclist-sues-ny-state-police-over-motorbike-only-roadblocks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/motorcyclist-sues-ny-state-police-over-motorbike-only-roadblocks/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Upstate New York has earned a reputation as the speeding ticket capital of the country, but even with overeager state troopers patrolling the highways, motorcyclists feel singled out by law enforcement. That's why one rider/attorney is taking the state police, along with county and state officials to court.

According to one Mitchell Proner, the state's institution of roadblocks exclusively for motorcyclists is unconstitutional: the motorcyclist and personal injury lawyer claims that without justifiable cause, the checkpoints infringe on riders' First Amendment rights to freedom of assembly and association and their Fourth Amendment right to freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. Last year, the New York State Police conducted twelve such "safety checks" near motorcycle events, including the Americade biker gathering at Lake George, the largest such event in the Northeast - and the NYSP plan on conducting fifteen more this year.

Proner claims to be filing the federal class action suite at the Federal Court for the Northern District of New York on behalf of his fellow riders. Whether he has a wheel to stand on is for the legal system to decide.

[Source: 1st5ive.com | Image: New York State Police]

Motorcyclist sues NY State Police over motorbike-only roadblocks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Few issues out on the open road are as divisive as helmet laws for motorcycle riders. On the one hand, you have individual liberty advocates - many motorcyclists among them - insisting that the government can't tell riders what's best for them. On the other are safety advocates, armed with evidence of increased fatalities where helmets aren't mandatory. Now the Missouri state legislature has sent a bill to the governor that would, if signed into law, repeal the state's mandatory helmet regulations.

Many states caved to federal government pressure, in the form of withheld highway funding, to institute helmet laws. Of the 50 states in the Union, 20 currently mandate helmets for all riders, 27 require them only for riders under a certain age, while the remaining three have no laws regarding helmet use whatsoever. The Missouri bill would take the state out of the first category and place it into the middle (not the last), mandating that riders under 21 wear helmets and that all riders wear helmets when traveling on the interstate, leaving adult riders free to ride unprotected on local streets. This revision to the law would expire on August 28, 2014, requiring state lawmakers to review the situation afresh, otherwise the mandate would automatically go back into effect.

While it should come as no surprise that Missouri's highway safety director is vehemently opposed to the bill, the governor has yet to voice an opinion on the matter, pledging to review the bill once the legislative session has ended. Do you think motorcycle riders should be forced by law to wear helmets? Voice your opinion in the comments section below, and if you live in Missouri, who knows, maybe the governor will take your thoughts to heart.

[Source: 1st5ive.com | Image: Joseph Lago/AFP/Getty]

Put out of its Missouri: State Legislature considers repealing motorcycle helmet law originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 May 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Franco Uncini's 1982 MotoGP World Championship-winning Suzuki 500 XR40 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

With the global economy in shambles, classic car collectors have been looking to something more affordable: namely, motorcycles. That's why, for example, Pebble Beach is opening up its concours to two-wheelers for the first time this year. Unfortunately for racing enthusiasts, championship-winning steeds seldom pop up for grabs. The factories and riders themselves tend to hang onto them. But here's one notable exception: the Suzuki 500 XR40 with which legendary rider Franco Uncini won the 1982 MotoGP World Championship.

Uncini's racing career was characterized by a checkered past filled with checkered flags. The Italian rider competed for Ducati, Harley-Davidson and Yamaha before finally filling the saddle at Suzuki,with which he won his first and only world title in 1982, the last Italian to win the MotoGP championship until Valentino Rossi began his reign in 2001. A devastating crash the following year put Uncini into a coma and ended his career in 1985. Today he acts as a safety representative for the series, riding around in that hot new BMW X6 M pace car we reported on earlier. He'll be on hand personally to supervise the auction of his championship-winning ride on May 18 when it goes under the hammer at the COYS auction in Monte Carlo together with 15 other historically-significant motorbikes. Uncini's bike is expected to fetch as much as €350,000, or nearly half a million dollars. Click on the thumbnails below to view the machine in high resolution.


Gallery: 1982 Suzuki 500 XR40 ex-Franco Uncini



[Source: COYS]

Franco Uncini's 1982 MotoGP title-winning Suzuki up for auction in Monaco originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 May 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan Qazana Concept

To borrow a phrase: Great Googly Moogly. Looking something like a Apple-branded lunar rover, Nissan has released its first images of its Qazana concept, an "intelligent, all-wheel drive crossover which is masculine, agile, lean, and designed for the tough city streets."

The compact crossover appears to be the latest take on the emerging sportscar softroader aesthetic populated by genre-benders like the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX, and to a lesser extent, lower-to-the-ground mainstream offerings like the Toyota Venza. For whatever it's worth, the Nissan Design Europe team says that they were influenced by the "motif of a modern day beach buggy and a four-seat motor-bike." Why this idea didn't result in a more skeletal open-top off-roadster on balloon tires (the Qazana rides on modest-for-a-concept 20-inch wheels), we're not sure, but we think this design has merit on its own regardless. While we wouldn't expect a greenhouse quite this radical or the some of the motorcycle-inspired interior details to see production, a UK-built smaller counterpart to the smash hit Qashqai has been promised, and the Qazana could well influence the design.

Sadly, at this juncture Nissan is mum on what sort of powertrain (if any) motivates the Qazana concept, so we'll just go with the obvious: moon rocks and space ice cream. High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Nissan Qazana

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Nissan previews wacky Qazana crossover concept

Geneva 2009: Nissan previews wacky Qazana crossover concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition

Flush from the news that its F-150 pickup performed markedly better than many of its primary competitors in a new series of IIHS side-impact crash tests, Ford has rolled out its latest larger-than-life Harley-Davidson model.

Outside of the appearance items, the HD is essentially a Platinum Edition F-Series in motorcycle leathers, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Available in either Lava (dark maroon) or Tuxedo Black, the Harley looks very aggressive in the metal - and the effect is not just a function of scale. The bold six-bar grille and 22-inch Harley-branded polished/painted alloys clearly set it apart as a distinct model from other F-Series pickups, and Ford has also slathered the pickup in oversized emblems and strange red "swoosh" marks on the rocker panels. While we could do without the latter flourishes, the truck still strikes us as particularly good-looking in Lava.

Ford's 14th Harley-branded product also has a seriously dolled-up interior that is likewise not for introverts. The prevailing theme behind the cabin's styling is that of a Harley biker jacket, and the materials, color choices, and the gigantic badges on the seats and center console (including a serialized plate) are unsubtle but appropriate.

Clearly not a truck for wallflowers, Ford continues to carve out niche after niche for its new 2010 F-150. Click on the gallery below for in-person shots of the new HD F-150, and then click here for more details.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: 2010 Ford Harley Davidson F-150


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Chicago 2009: (You Can Still) Rock in America - Ford unveils Harley-Davidson F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suzuki, makers of the GSX line of sportbikes, has issued a recall on 26,082 GSX-R1000 motorcycles from 2005 and 2006. The trouble area is reportedly the bike's frame, specifically behind and below the steering neck near the front triple clamps. When ridden particularly aggressively - which we'll get to in a moment - this area is susceptible to cracking. If Suzuki finds any damage to any frame, it will be replaced with a newly reinforced unit. If no damage is found, a special brace will be added and covered by a new five-year warranty.

So, what constitutes aggressive riding? Let's be honest. A good portion of literbike riders enjoy lofting the front wheel from time to time, even on the street where such antics can get you into big trouble. The reality, though, is that these bikes were designed to perform at the highest level under a relatively narrow window of operation, specifically in rounding a race track as quickly as possible. Stunting and hard landings after long wheelies puts lots of stress on the bike that engineers weren't necessarily counting on dealing with. That said, we applaud Suzuki for recognizing a dangerous situation and rectifying it.

[Source: Clutch and Chrome]

Suzuki recalls 2005-2006 GSX-R1000 motorcycles over fracturing frames originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Male members of society have long concerned themselves over the potential harm that could possibly be done by riding a two-wheeled machine. The issue first crept into the public consciousness over a decade ago as professional cyclists would torture themselves with the smallest and lightest slab of a seat as possible in an effort to gain a competitive edge, but the issue has recently come back up regarding motorcycles and scooters as well. This, despite the generally well-padded nature of most modern saddles.

According to a study presented by Randall Dale Chipkar, author of Motorcycle Cancer? and patent holder of an "electromagnetic shielding motorcycle seat," the subtle vibrations caused by modern motorcycles does not cause impotence, erectile dysfunction disorder, or cancer. But, that doesn't mean we riders are out of the woods just yet. If the problem isn't vibration and pressure on your unspeakable nether-regions, what could possibly cause you harm? Low frequency electromagnetic fields, apparently, which Chipkar says can be generated by the electrical bits on modern machinery.

Color us unconvinced until further studies are performed. In the meantime, may we recommend tinfoil helmets?

[Source: Chipkar Health Concepts Limited; Image: BigBikeRiders]

Continue reading PSA: Report says motorcycle seats not responsible for impotence, erectile dysfunction

PSA: Report says motorcycle seats not responsible for impotence, erectile dysfunction originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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