Zero Motorcycles recently celebrated the start of production for its 2012 model lineup, including the first electric motorcycles to claim a range over 100 miles.

The first 2012 Zero model off the line was the Zero DS dual sport, available with a 6 or 9 kWh Z-Force powerpack. The 9 kWh version claims a range of 112 miles by measure of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) testing.

Zero also claims a range of 62 km when traveling at a highway speed of 70 mph. The 6 kWh version claims a range of 76 mils by the UDDS standard, and 42 miles at highway speed. Zero also claims a top speed of 80 mph for the 2012 DS. The street-oriented 2012 Zero S offers slightly better range, claiming 114 miles for the 9 kWh pack and 76 miles for the 6 kWh version (63 miles/43 miles at 70 mph).

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The 2012 MotoGP season is still months away and the world championship has already lost an entry, as veteran Anthony West announced his withdrawal from the series because he cannot afford to compete.

The 30-year-old Australian racer was included on the provisional 2012 MotoGP entry list to compete for the Speed Master team on an Aprilia CRT machine. But with the official pre-season test at Sepang, Malaysia, coming up next week, West says he will not race because teams are asking riders to pay too much to race for them.

Writing on his official Facebook page, West says his former team, the MZ Racing Moto2 team, still owes him money, and he cannot even afford to race for free. Instead, West is considering retiring and finding a “normal job”. Continue Reading »

BMW has started production of its new C600 Sport and C650GT but still hasn’t officially released pricing information for its two new maxi-scooters. BMW Canada however may have let slip pricing for the C650GT: CA$11,900

BMW Motorrad Canada is holding a contest to give away a C650GT, and the contest rules list the scooter’s MSRP. Of course, the $11,900 price tag is subject to change, especially as the scooter isn’t expected to arrive in Canada until late 2012 as a 2013 model. Still, the tentative pricing gives us an idea of how much the scooter will cost in the U.S. Continue Reading »

New motorcycle registrations in Europe decreased 8.9% in 2011, reaching its lowest level in a decade. And with the state of the economy in Europe, things might get worse.

According to provisional numbers released by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, Europeans registered 1.72 million motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in 2011, down from 1.89 million registrations in 2010. By comparison, the U.S. motorcycle market is showing signs of recovery, with 2011 sales increasing slightly by 0.3% compared to 2010′s figures.

The picture is even darker when you consider Europeans registered 2,757,253 vehicles in 2006, over a million more motorcycles and scooters than in 2011.

Europe’s largest motorcycle markets, France, Italy, Spain and Germany saw tremendous drop-offs in the last few years. Spain was especially hit, with 141,136 registrations in 2011 compared to 395,815 registrations in 2006, a 64% decline in just six years.

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French motorcycle outlet Moto Revue reports Yamaha is developing a new three-cylinder middleweight.

Citing an internal Yamaha document, Moto Revue reports the new naked model will feature an inline Triple engine, aluminum perimeter frame, upside-down fork and a triple-pipe exhaust like the MV Agusta F3 and Brutale 675.

Yamaha has produced a Triple before, offering the XS750 from 1976-1979 before replacing it with the XS850 in 1980 and 1981 (pictured above is the 1981 Yamaha XS850.)

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Polaris Industries reported a record net profit of $227.6 million for 2011. Polaris’ on-road arm, which consists primarily of Victory Motorcycles saw a 79% year-on-year increase in sales.

Sales from on-road vehicles, including Victory and Indian motorcycles as well as small electric vehicles from the newly-acquired GEM and Goupil brands, totaled $146.3 million in 2011, compared to just $81.6 million in 2010.

“Our record fourth quarter results were a fitting ending to a year in which we generated record annual sales and earnings and significantly exceeded our initial expectations,” says Scott Wine, Polaris’ Chief Executive Officer. “Our top and bottom-line expansion, and the momentum we are sustaining throughout our business, directly results from our focus on driving innovation, enhancing our product offering, reducing costs, and growth through new global markets and adjacencies.”

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The much anticipated 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale has entered serial production, with the Italian manufacturer celebrating the first unit to roll off the assembly line.

Staff gathered around to mark the beginning of production for Ducati‘s latest sportbike. Ducati President and Chief Excutive Officer Gabriele Del Torchio was joined by General Director Claudio Domenicali to watch as Plant Director Silvano Fini celebrated the first Panigale by showering it with sparkling wine.

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Introduction

The theme song to “The Grinch” describes the eponymous character’s soul as “An appalling dump heap overflowing with the most disgraceful assortment of deplorable rubbish imaginable,” and that’s pretty much how we feel about biker movies. Exceptions such as “The World’s Fastest Indian,” “On Any Sunday,” “Faster” and “Take It To The Limit” exist, but gems like these are rarities.

An attractive female straddling a bike on the big screen — no matter how audacious, unbelievable or misguided — usually gets a pass. For female moviegoers, it’s good to see an empowered woman riding a bike and kicking ass. For men, well… if she’s hot, she’s hot, and a gorgeous woman with serious motorcycle skills is fodder for male fantasies.

The actresses below aren’t listed in order of desirability (what man wouldn’t want to get into the pants of any these women in their prime), but rather if their on-screen personas actually rode the motorcycle in the movie and especially if the girl is a true motorcyclist who owns and rides when not acting.

Motorcycle sales stayed flat in 2011 with a 0.3% increase while off-highway vehicle sales continue to plummet, according to figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Council.

ATV sales saw a 13.5% drop in 2011 to 222,032 units compared to the 256,750 units sold in 2010. Off-highway motorcycles saw a similar 13.5% decrease, with manufacturers reporting sales of 70,057 units compared to 80,962 units sold in 2010.

Dual-sports and scooters however continue to rise, at a rate of 14.2% and 11.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, street bike sales saw a moderate 1.8% increase.

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Harley-Davidson reported a 10.9% growth in motorcycle sales in the fourth quarter and a total annual growth of 5.9% for 2011. The growth resulted in a net profit of $599.1 million for Harley-Davidson.

The Motor Company sold 235,188 motorcycles in 2011, up from 222,110 units sold in 2010. Fourth quarter sales totaled 40,359 units, an increase from the 36,390 units sold in the same quarter of 2010.

“Harley-Davidson is all about fulfilling dreams through remarkable motorcycles and extraordinary customer experiences. In 2011 we made strong progress at transforming our business to be more agile and effective than ever at exceeding customer expectations,” says Keith Wandell, president and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “The changes underway across the organization will enable Harley-Davidson to be world class and customer led like never before, with shorter product development lead times, flexible manufacturing and an unmatched premium retail experience. Continue Reading »