CotA management obviously doesn’t fathom the depth of respect MotoGP fans have for Kevin Schwantz. It may be the newest and best racing venue in the U.S., but it seems as though CotA management is going out of its way to make motorcyclists dislike the place.

Statement by Kevin Schwantz:

“I have read several reports regarding my attendance at the MotoGP test last week in Austin. I would like to make this statement:

“I had been in Switzerland over the weekend where I was the guest speaker at the St. Gallen University. I returned to Texas on Tuesday evening and on Thursday I was at CotA for the MotoGP test, with a proper credential supplied by the Attack team, to coach Blake Young. Additionally I was an invited guest of the LCR Honda team.

“While there, CotA security informed me that CotA management requested I leave the track immediately and was not welcomed at the circuit. CotA’s security force also accused me of criminal trespass and warned I would be arrested the next time I entered the track.

“This comes as a tremendous disappointment to Honda, Blake Young, and myself. Especially because I am single-handedly responsible for bringing MotoGP to Texas and for the initial design of the facility to accommodate MotoGP racing.”

Last year Kevin Schwantz filed a suit against CotA owners saying he got squeezed out as promoter for the MotoGP round.

In today’s news that really isn’t news, an interview of Ducati CEO, Gabriele del Torchio, by Bruno de Prato found on Cycle World’s website on August 3rd, reveals the CEO speaking in a matter-of-fact tone about Valentino Rossi’s status as a team member on Ducati’s MotoGP effort.

In the CW article, Del Torchio states that the 2010 racing season “will not bring to Ducati any crown in the sport,” but that he looks “forward to Valentino Rossi teaming up with Nicky Hayden.”

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The Honda crotch rocket rider was traveling at approximately 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the motorcycle.

More photos after the jump.

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Matthew Crawford is a practicing motorcycle mechanic out of Richmond,Virginia. He’s also an excellent writer who holds a philosophy degree from the prestigious University of Chicago. This unusual trifecta informs “Shop Class as Soulcraft: an Inquiry Into the Value of Work.” Anyone who’s changed their oil or timed a distributor (remember them?) will appreciate the result.

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UPDATE:  Read the full review of the 2010 Honda NT700V now on Motorcycle.com

It should be obvious, but one of the perks of being in the business of evaluating motorcycles is the opportunity to see and ride a huge variety of bikes.

Recently, while returning a CRF230M to American Honda’s main offices I spotted the new-to-the-U.S. NT700V sitting amongst the gaggle of bikes set aside for the moto media.

Since the bike has yet to be formally introduced to all media, I certainly wasn’t able to ride, but I did saddle up to it and fiddle around, so I thought I’d pass on a few firsthand quick-take notes.

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preview for the new Spyders, the forum board got me fired up again. Every time I write about something eccentric, the progeny of Merriam Webster like to write in and remind me that Spyders aren’t motorcycles. I would disagree, but no one will remember this next time no matter what I say, I’d put money on that.

There’s a difference between what you believe and what you know. Nowhere in the construct of the word motorcycle does it suggest a limit on the number of wheels. Are you riding motor-bicycles? Are you riding at all? KPaul? The very ‘first’ motorcycle had 4 wheels by the way. Damn you facts!

What would be your opinion on the Enicycle? Or a trike? Don’t answer that….

How about we just call the Spyder a motor-tricycle? Better yet, let’s call it a Reitwagen (riding car) from now on. And, yes, I got that from Wikipedia.

Although motorcycles are most commonly two-wheeled motor vehicles, they can be so much more. The world isn’t flat anymore!  And if you don’t like choppers, sport bikes, dualies or whizzers, don’t ride ‘em. That just leaves more for me to ride!

QLINK have published a post on their blog to respond to the QLINK XF200 bike review that was published on motorcycle.com.  After reading the review, QLINK felt there were some issues that were raised in the article that needed more explanation and clarity.

Hit the jump to read what they had to say.

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Harley-Davidson is giving you a platform to express yourself and state what you love about living and riding in the land of the free.  Head on over to their free country web page, find your favorite 2010 model, make your statement on riding and living free in America and share it with the rest of the world!

Screw it. Lets Ride! (you gotta love that slogan)

It seems the idea that there is a “special edition” Honda Fury has achieved urban-legend levels.

Motorcycle.com recently spoke to Jon Seidel of American Honda to clarify some of the controversy generated in www.furyforums.com regarding a special edition Fury model.

According to Seidel, no mention was ever made to the media during the Fury’s press unveiling or in any press material or at any other time, “that any Fury color or specific Fury model was a special edition.”

Seidel stated that he also queried Honda’s product planning department about the existence of any special edition models and reported that no information had ever been released or implied from Honda Product Planning as to the existence of a Fury SE.

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If you did, you’re probably a numbered few who did. Fewer who would admit it! Continue Reading »