We're headed to Laguna Seca for MotoGP on a 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 and an Aprilia Tuono R. From now through Monday we'll be tracking the trip via Twitter. Expect plenty of pictures, observations and trackside news and interviews. The best part? You don't even need to have a Twitter account to follow us, our live feed is below. See you there?
We really dig the elongated shape of the new Shoei RF-1100. The four vents/spoilers mounted on the rear give the profile a forward thrust that was absent from the boring old RF-1000. Called the Shoei XR-1100 in Europe, it goes on sale there in September; we're guessing that US sales will commence soon thereafter. That's only a guess however, as no one at Shoei will respond to our emails.
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This is the Honda Faze 250, a new scooter for the Japanese Domestic Market. Neat scoot, but what we care about is the headlight, it's very similar to that of the leaked 2010 Honda VFR1200. Does that mean Honda will be adapting that bike's controversial design -- it's being dubbed "Shamu" by some -- across other bikes in its range?
The Russian manufacturer's entry-level model, the 2009 Ural T sidecar is only available in matte black with burgundy pin striping. Shorn of the spare wheel, shovel, air pump and other accoutrements typically found on the archaic machines, it's free to focus on performance. Can a bike that was originally designed before WWII still offer something to today's riders?
"Transportation's kinda broken," says Brammo founder and CEO Craig Bramscher. But is a $12,000 electric motorcycle the way to fix it? The Brammo Enertia will only hit 60mph, but Craig sees potential far outweighing its meager performance. "[We] want to be the next great American motorcycle company."
Hulu just made On Any Sunday, Bruce Brown's famous documentary about motorcycle racing in 1971, available online for free. The best part? We can even embed it here. Below you'll find one of our favorite scenes. In it, Mert Lawwill transforms from stylish family man to heroic flat-track racer by swapping his three-piece suit for battered leathers. Remember when racers wore suits instead of flat bills?
Little known in the US, Spidi is a major motorcycle safety innovator in Europe, releasing the first wearable airbag for bikers way back in 1999. Now seen as the next big step in safety gear for racers, Alpinestars and Dainese are actively developing sophisticated systems capable of using gyroscopes to detect big crashes, then deploying airbags to prevent neck injuries. Spidi just beat both its major competitors to market, albeit with a much less high-tech solution.
Pricing for the 2010 BMW S1000RR has been released in Italy and it's €140 cheaper than the 2009 Yamaha R1. €15,850 ($22,373) buys you a 193bhp road-going missile, but you'll need to add €950 for ABS, €1,250 for ABS + traction control, €370 for the quick-shifter and €220 for an alarm. If you want an S1000RR that looks halfway decent, the red, white and blue paint raises the price by a further €600. All that brings the price of a fully equipped S1000RR to €18,290 ($25,815). Luckily, BMW USA says we can expect to pay much less here in the land of the free and the home of the sub prime mortgage.
With KTM quitting Dakar, all the buzz centers around 450cc Japanese bikes stepping up to the top level of competition. Since Suzuki was likely just as surprised about the new 450cc limit as KTM was, we're guessing the newfound readiness for competition in Argentina is more happy coincidence than deliberate design. Still, the 2010 Suzuki RMX450Z, essentially a retuned version of the RM-Z 450 MX bike, is a seriously competitive enduro.
Basem Wasef just reviewed the Ducati Streetfighter for Popular Mechanics. His thoughts? It packages everything that makes exotic superbikes great into a street-friendly package.
Combining an old frame and engine with modern components and tuning know-how, Japanese BMW tuner Ritmo Sereno have created a custom R80 that would have been impossible in its own time, the early '80s, looks like its from the '70s yet can be competitive in twins racing in the 2000s. Of particular note are the 41mm Keihin carbs, the lengthened Öhlins monoshock that attaches to the driveshaft and the two-into-one exhaust. Bodywork is inspired by the R60/5 from the late '60s, but painted in the Daytona Orange of the 1973 R90S.
Photos: Philip Platzer, Flohagena, Sven Carlin, Red Bull Photo Files
The Erzberg Rodeo is widely considered the most challenging enduro event in the world, with riders needing to overcome huge ascents through rocky scree in the Austrian Alps. These photos come from the Red Bull Hare Scramble, a special race held for the fastest 500 of the total 1,500 entrants.
Here's all the leaked shots of the 2010 Honda VFR1200, initially obtained by MCN. Since there's been a lot of speculation about this bike and these shots are fairly low-res (click to enlarge them), we understand that many of you are skeptical, but check out the 2010 Honda VFR1200 spy photos for definitive proof that this exists. Expect Honda to officially launch the bike this fall, with sales following early in 2010.
We really dig the elongated shape of the new Shoei RF-1100. The four vents/spoilers mounted on the rear give the profile a forward thrust that was absent from the boring old RF-1000. Called the Shoei XR-1100 in Europe, it goes on sale there in September; we're guessing that US sales will commence soon thereafter. That's only a guess however, as no one at Shoei will respond to our emails. 
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