I had a chance to sit down with Erik Buell some time ago at Pro Italia’s annual Cafe Desmo event, where not only was Erik showing the incredibly exotic carbon 1190RS, but a client had brought their own freshly delivered 1190RS as well. Several of EBR’s first machines had just gone out and Erik’s enthusiasm was boundless, regardless of the Great Recession. Maybe a future of fast and beautiful American motorcycles isn’t so dim, after all. Click below for the feature.
The past three years have cast a pall over manufacturing world wide. For the motorcycle industry, its hue has been particularly dark. We have witnessed the death of brands, from the historic to eager start ups, written long essays theorizing why and what next, and have slowly come to accept that the old business templates no longer apply. It has been a very long recession, with recovery only coming to players who were able to make the quickest and deepest cuts. World Grand Prix motorcycling, the paragon of our particular religion and perhaps the most obvious industry indicator, is being rationalized and some say “dumbed down” in the name of cost reduction, with several global brands opting out. We live in very sobering times indeed. :continue:
Italy is facing crisis. In the news almost daily, the dire economic situation of the world’s 8th largest economy is crushing the country. There is talk of default, of exiting the Euro and the government of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi survives by a thread with political instability the new normal. Violent riots in Rome, the collapse of consumer financing options and a domestic scooter market in free fall add to the malaise, making selling exotic motorcycles seem like an anathema. Almost symbolically, Italy’s great motorcycle racing hero Valentino Rossi now riding for Ducati, has failed spectacularly to fulfill the collective dream of winning a Grand Prix world championship on an Italian bike. It is not all bad news, though. :continue:
If Italian and vintage bikes are considered sexy, then walking around this year’s Cafe Desmo 2011 at Pro Italia in Glendale, CA was a lot like checking out a porn convention. Everyone hangs out and has a great time laughing, ogling and awkwardly touching exotic toys that shake and vibrate at various rpm when you turn them on. I could have taken lots of pictures of over 2,000 sweaty dudes in leather and denim staring inappropriately at inanimate objects, but that might have caused me to reflect on the possibility of my own perviness. Okay, okay, so maybe I did some touching too. Click below for the feature.
Nothing is more scary to Southern California bikers than rain, except for a downpour with high winds and temperatures below 65, which is the known end of everything wholesome in the universe. Unless, of course, those bikers are fearless bike cops competing head to head on Huntington Beach in the 2011 OCTOA Motor Rodeo. First rider to drop a foot, knock a cone or miss the on-the-fly route loses and the winner moves to the next round. Perfectly trimmed mustaches? Check. Guns and batons? Double check. Buzz cuts? By the dozen. Incredible low-speed skills? Without a doubt. Blasting the Village People’s YMCA for the champion? Damn right. Click below for the feature.
It happened by accident, this strangely symmetrical mix of bike and destination. Needing to escape from a town with its population temporarily doubled by the Germans in laced leather trousers that inexplicably descend on any European bike event, I made some vague excuses to Guzzi’s press people, grabbed the keys to the new Stelvio NTX 8V and headed north up the shores of Lake Como. My destination? Alpine adventure. :continue:
So you want to go fast on a motorcycle, huh? Well, you could do what all your peers did and buy a brand new liter bike, crash it and either hurt yourself badly or never ride again. It’ll probably end up being both. But what if we told you there was a third way? Instead of looking for the bike to do the speed for you, learn to speed yourself. Do that and a whole new world will open up to you, you’ll be faster, safer and have more fun. You’ll probably even end up riding your whole life. Sound good? In that case, start right here with a Honda CBR250R.
Photos: Ashlee Goodwin
In a closet that contains an awesome Aerostich Roadcrafter, Alpinestars and Vanson race suits, and an Icon Overlord 2-piece suit, this jacket is quickly becoming a favorite piece. What does the Dainese Greyhound Pelle have over all those amazing pieces of gear? It’s a classically styled leather jacket that works as well for a night out as it does on a bike.
Photos: Ashlee Goodwin :continue:
Ducati has put a name on its new superbike and announced its racing plans for the new model in a teaser video. The Ducati 1199 Panigale — named after a neighborhood in Bologna — will compete in the 2012 Superstock Championship, moving on to SBK in 2013. The official unveiling, as always, is scheduled for EICMA in November. :continue:
Sven Etzelsberger is not your average garage builder. The soft spoken automotive designer works at Fisker and also has a background in metal working. Rather than spending $15,000 on a GS for his next bike, he decided to take that money and build something special; this single-cylinder KTM bobber.
NSFW: boobs and wheelies after the jump.
Photos: Sean Smith :continue:
