Next week, I’ll be headed to the Ascari Circuit in Southern Spain, as Ducati is set to launch the all new 2013 Hypermotard to the world’s motorcycle press. To get everyone excited about the event, the boys from Bologna decided to have a little fun. Together with its factory MotoGP pilot, Nicky Hayden, and a cameo by Ruben Xaus, Ducati has filmed an exciting video to showcase what the bike can do. See it below. Continue Reading »
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Filmed at the 2013 Progressive International Motorcycle Show in New York City, the “Indian Motorcycle Summit” press conference featured celebrity panelist Mike Wolfe and top executives from Indian Motorcycle including Steve Menneto, Gary Gray and designer Michael Song. Moderated by Robert Pandya, panelists discussed everything from Mike’s favorite picks to the company’s exciting plans for the upcoming launch of the all-new Indian Motorcycle – one of the most anticipated and historic events in motorcycling history. Continue Reading »
Mark your calendars for February 5 and 6, 2013, as those are the dates when Bonhams — one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine arts and antiques — will put for sale two motorcycle collections which include some incredibly rare and historic machines. Continue Reading »
Harley-Davidson has added the Twin Cam 96, Twin Cam 103 and 2003-2006 CVO Twin Cam 103 engines to its engine remanufacturing program.
The program, which previously accepted 1984 and newer Evolution 1340, Twin Cam 88, Twin Cam 88B and Twin Cam 95 powerplants, takes used engines, rebuilds and repaints them.
Customers can take their existing Harley-Davidson motorcycle to a dealer which will remove the engine and send it back to the factory. Harley-Davidson technicians will disassemble the engines, clean and powder coat any reusable parts and replace any parts that aren’t, reassemble and test them before returning them to the customer.
French firm Boxer Design has unveiled a new 1000cc turbocharged V-Twin concept model at the 2011 Salon de la Moto show in Paris.
The Boxer Superbob is powered by a 88-degree V-Twin engine claiming 158 hp at 9500rpm and 92 ft-lb. of torque at 8000rpm. The engine was produced in collaboration with French design company Akira, and is equipped with a low-pressure (0.3-0.4 bar) turbo Boxer Design claims offers smooth performance across the power curve, and especially in the low-to-mid range.
For Indian, 2012 represents 110 years since the first motorcycle bearing the namesake rolled off whatever sufficed for production line at the Hendee Co. in 1901. To celebrate, Polaris Industries, owner of the Indian brand since April of this year, is celebrating the occasion with special badging on all 2012 models. The twenty-twelve bikes will be the first produced under the auspice of Polaris. According to company spokesman, Robert Pandya, the Polaris-built Indians are endowed with minor technical changes and a few new colors.
There are three Indian Chief models for 2012, Vintage, Dark Horse and Classic ranging in price from $26,500 to $36,700. The hand-built Indians are powered by a 105 cu. in., fuel-injected, air-cooled, 45-degree Powerplus V-Twin. Power reaches the rear wheel via a belt drive attached to a six-speed transmission. Hauling the 800-pound machines to a stop is a trio of Brembo braking components.
The $26,500 Indian Chief Classic is available in solid Indian Red with gold script and solid Thunder Black with silver script with a black leather seat, chrome wheels and black wall tires. The $28,000 Dark Horse is painted Thunder Black Smoke with a black leather seat, black wheels tires. The Vintage Chief is available in both solid colors, Thunder Black and Indian Red for $35,600 and two-tone schemes, Indian Red and Ivory Cream, Arizona Turquois and Winter White, and Willow Green and Ivory Cream for $36,900.
During Suzuki’s annual dealer meeting the company reported that cruiser sales at large are down 6.2% YTD. However, Suzuki says its cruiser sales are up 12.5%, and in an effort to keep riding this wave that’s handily outpacing the rest of the cruiser market, the company announced the addition of the Boulevard C50T Classic.
Ducati announced its upcoming new 1198 replacement will be called the 1199 Panigale (pronounced “Pan-ee-gah-lee” for a region of Italy).
The 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale will have its full unveiling at the Nov. 10-13 2011 EICMA show in Milan. Ducati has not revealed any technical data, but the 1199 Panigale is expect to have a “frameless” chassis design with the engine as a stressed part of the chassis, and a dual underslung exhaust. Continue Reading »
Official photographs and details of the updated 2012 Suzuki V-Strom have emerged as the Japanese manufacturer continues its prolonged teaser campaign to hype its “New Middle-Class Motorcycle”.
Indeed, the latest teaser is expected later today but images and specifications on the updated Wee-Strom have emerged from Suzuki’s global site.
The 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 will again be powered by a SV650-derived 90-degree V-Twin engine with a displacement of 645cc. The compression ratio however is now 11.5:1 instead of the 2011 version’s 11.2:1 ratio.
Documents released by the California Air Resources Board reveal two new models from Harley-Davidson’s 2012 lineup: a 10th anniversary edition V-Rod and a new member of the Dyna family.
The CARB documents list motorcycles that have received approval for the state of California.
The Motor Company has received approval for several 2012 models including the 2012 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special Anniversary and the 2012 Harley-Davidson Switchback.
The special edition Night Rod marks the 10th anniversary of Harley-Davidson’s V-Rod family, and is expected to feature a unique color scheme and badging.
The Switchback will use Harley-Davidson’s 103 cubic-inch (1688cc) V-Twin engine, which will also be introduced to the Fat Bob and the Wide Glide, and it will likely share the Dyna chassis as well. It is rumored the Switchback will be a touring version of the Wide Glide but with removable bags and windscreen, thus allowing it to “switch back” to a cruiser.
Also notable from the CARB documents is the omission of three models, the Softail Cross Bones, Softail Rocker and Street Glide Trike.
[Source: CARB via Cyril Huze Blog]
