Thunderdrome brings racing back to Detroit

Everyone’s favorite scooter/moped/pit bike/mini moto/bicycle race is returning to Detroit’s re-discovered Dorais Velodrome with two dates this year. Thunderdrome will race on 30 June and 15 September, 2012. Make sure you visit the Thunderdrome site for full details, there’s changes to the registration process and homologation rules this year which mean you have to sign up ahead of time. You should, it’s the most accessible, laid back, fun motorcycle race you’ll ever participate in.

Wes Siler. May 11th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (5)

The next great Honda?

A list of awesome things: Honda CBR250R, riding off-road, low prices, accessible performance, lightweight bikes. Now imagine combining all those into a single product. We give you this new Honda CRF250L. Currently planned for Asia and Europe only, Thai manufacturing could, like that CBR, bring it to America at an incredibly small amount of money. Accessible, affordable and desirable, could this be the next great Honda? :continue:

Wes Siler. April 13th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (22)

A T100 for Triumph’s 110th

2012 is Triumph’s 110th birthday (we’ll ignore the period in the ‘80s when they were temporarily dead). To mark the occasion, there’s this special edition Triumph Bonneville T100. It receives a really nice “Aluminum Silver and Khaki Green” paint job and the 1902 Triumph crest on the sidecovers as well as various chrome parts. There’s only 1,000 being produced for the entire world and they’ll carry a $1,400 premium over the regular T100.

Wes Siler. March 15th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (37)

A tale of two Bonnevilles

What you’re looking at here is the 2012 Triumph Bonneville T100. It swaps in a 19-inch, spoked front wheel, tubes, two-tone paint, a flat seat, more conservative suspension geometry and higher, narrower, more swept back handlebars for a $1,400 premium over the standard Bonneville. Worth it? Nope. Those mods effectively ruin what’s otherwise a great bike.

Photos: Grant Ray :continue:

Wes Siler. March 8th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (66)

48 photos of the 2012 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200

The Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 has been updated for 2012 with lightweight forged wheels, revised engine management software, slimmed-down bodywork and new graphics. While smoother throttle response and slimmer exhaust heat shields were both needed, it’s the new wheels that are going to make the biggest difference to the supermoto-style naked roadster. Shedding 5.07lbs over the previous items, the new forged wheels will improve acceleration, braking, ride and traction. No word on when we can expect the 2012 model Stateside or if our version will include traction control this year.

Wes Siler. March 8th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (14)

Expedition: Sierra Nevada

Ever since I moved to LA, I’ve been scheming any way possible to explore the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Topography maps promised a web of trails and rarely used Forest Service roads, so pavement or respectable cell reception wasn’t an option. I’d also managed to talk KTM into a long-term loan of the 990 Adventure equipped with proper knobby Dunlops. Going by myself, I figured I’d just take it easy, nothing too crazy. Besides, what could possibly go wrong on a solo trip into the harsh wintery alpine back country on a heavily loaded adventure bike traveling on unfamiliar trails? Click below for the feature.

Expedition: Sierra Nevada

Grant Ray. March 6th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (60)

The fastest dirt bike in the world?

Racing homologation births some pretty epic motorcycles. RC30, OW01, various “R” model Ducatis and now this 2012 KTM 450 SX-F Factory. Just 400 units will be sold in America in 2012, the minimum required to allow Ryan Dungey to campaign a similar machine in Supercross. Like any good homologation special, it’s lighter, faster and specialer than standard. :continue:

Wes Siler. March 1st, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (1)

Why you don’t want the best motorcycle you’ll ever ride

What makes a motorcycle good? Is it big horsepower numbers and a long list of novel technology? Its ability to triple the highway speed limit? Is it presence in a TV show or its ability to impress your buddies on a motorcycle forum? This new 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 has none of that. When it leaked last year, we even called it boring. But, after spending over a month on it, that opinion has changed totally. The V-Strom might not be the sexiest motorcycle out there, but it is the most broadly capable we’ve ridden.

Photos: Sean Smith :continue:

Wes Siler. February 27th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (96)

AGV updates AX-8, Dual

Already one of the most distinctive, lightest, versatile and highest value helmets available, AGV has refined its AX-8 dirt helmet and AGV AX-8 Dual for 2012. Changes are relatively minor, if worthwhile. Padding is refined in pursuit of comfort while, less noticeably, the construction of the chin bar has been altered to make it better at absorbing the forces of direct impacts to it. Weights and prices remain unaltered. At $400, the AX-8 Dual is a clear favorite for dual sport and ADV riding (I wear it around the city too), where its extremely wide field of vision and excellent ventilation combine with an all-up weight of just 1,400g (medium) to make literally every rival look silly.

Wes Siler. February 23rd, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (26)

Spoilers, speed holes and the 2012 Castrol Honda CBR1000RR

The 2012 Honda CBR1000RR gains fancy new suspension and revised aerodynamics. The former won’t carry over to the already incredibly high-spec world of SBK racing, but the aerodynamics should. Peak under the chin of this new Castrol Honda and you’ll see the same tiny spoiler, designed to reduced lift, as the production bike, as well as the new-for-2012 layered fairings and their use of a low pressure area to draw cooling air through the radiator and smooth airflow over the rider. :continue:

Wes Siler. February 21st, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (16)

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