Filed under: Performance, Europe, Motorcycle, Rumormill
You can’t breathe a word about Harley-Davidson these days without being swirled into the rumormill. Even the financial analysts have chimed in to speculate about a possible buyout. The official news traveled fast regarding the corking of the Buell bottle, but that still leaves the better-looking Italian cousin. What will become of MV Agusta?
Word on the street indicates that Harley may be in talks with a few different – and equally interesting, we might add – buyers, the first of which is Paul Berlusconi, brother of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. For a brand that couldn’t be more quintessentially Italian, an MV/Berlusconi marriage seems rather appropriate, or adatto as they may say it in Italy.
The buyer behind door number two is where things get more exciting. Rumor has it that BMW has shown serious interest in MV Agusta.
Can we get confirmation from either party? Of course not, but stay tuned for updates as this story develops. Either way, we hope to see MV Agusta on two wheels (or, you know… sometimes just one) for years to come.
Gallery: 2010 MV Agusta F4
[Source: Motociclismo.it]
Going Once, Going Twice: Do we hear any bids for MV Agusta? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Performance, Videos, Honda, Motorcycle, Racing
We’re sure you are familiar with the old expression that hindsight is 20/20. In most cases this adage holds true, particularly, when it comes to all of the beautiful cars and motorcycles we wish we would have kept over the years. It wasn’t exactly a case of hindsight, but rather well planned forethought that drove Bengt Gunnarson to hang on to two of Honda’s most elusive models by tucking them away safely in his shop’s basement.
Recently, the crew at MC-Varuhus opened the vault and uncrated these two beautiful bikes. The plan is to let them spend some time out in the open, albeit in display cases, where visitors to the dealership can get a first-hand view of both bikes. Click past the break to watch the unveiling video, as this may be as close as we get to coming to grips with two of Honda’s most unique motorcycles.
[Source: Hell For Leather]
Continue reading Ultimate Reveal: Uncrating buried treasures, Honda NR 750 and RC30 [w/video]
Ultimate Reveal: Uncrating buried treasures, Honda NR 750 and RC30 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Europe, Motorcycle, Rumormill
Could it be true? The rumormill is running overtime with reports of a potential merger between a pair of our favorite two-wheeled giants: Ducati and Piaggio.
Piaggio has no comment on the matter, refusing to either confirm or deny the supposed Ducati deal. Still, we can’t help but run through the what-ifs, assuming there’s a shred of truth to this. Perhaps we’ll finally see some stability in the U.S. surrounding the many great brands under Piaggio’s roof.
Could Piaggio’s broad scope of product (currently offered throughout the Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia lines), coupled with the stable dealer network Ducati has built, be the recipe for a successful challenge to rivals from Japan and beyond? Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.
[Source: Motoblog.it via Two Wheels Blog]
Rumormill: Ducati/Piaggio merger in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing
If you’re into going too fast on two wheels, chances are the name Terry Vance has crossed your radar a time or two. The pilot of Need-for-Speed Duo Vance & Hines spread the word recently from Daytona International Speedway that a new spec series featuring the Harley Davidson XR-1200 will run this year along with select AMA road racing events.
The Vance & Hines XR-1200 Series, as it is officially being called, will kick off at Road America this June in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, coincidentally, very close to Harley Davidson’s headquarters. Hmm. Question: How can one guarantee a Harley clad in Vance & Hines goodies will win races this year? Answer: You guessed it, the above-mentioned series is born. Looking on the bright side, at least the current economic state was taken into account when pricing the race kit.
For a mere $3,500, potential racers will get full exhaust and fuel management systems and race body work that includes a number plate, solo-seat and tail section, as well as the belly-pan valance. But wait, that’s not all. A 17-inch front wheel and matching front fender, steering damper, oil cooler relocation package and race graphics is also on the menu. Now that’s what we call a deal! Of course it will be available to the public as a street legal kit as well. The claim to fame is that anyone with an XR and a dream can get involved without significant investment.
Fact is, some top talent has made its way through the ranks as the result of spec class racing. Add to that, who doesn’t like to watch a good Boxer Cup from time to time? It can be fun when the playing field is leveled a bit. Let’s hope the action is strong and the series spreads beyond it’s slated current boundaries (east of the Mississippi only) to give everyone a chance to hear the ever pleasant sounds of a big twin bouncing off the rev limiter at race-track near you.
[Source: AMA Pro Racing]
We Smell a Ringer: Vance & Hines XR1200 spec series set for 2010 debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Motorcycle
Festivities and events once again shifted into high gear this year in Daytona, Florida, as the 69th installment of Daytona’s “Bike Week” roared into town with all the usual suspects present and accounted for. Year after year, bikers far and wide have flocked to the beach to cut loose and congregate in the warm Florida sun.
It all started on January 24th, 1937, when Ed Kretz wrung out his Indian on the hard sand beach winning the first ever Daytona 200, or ‘Handlebar Derby,” as it is know by most locals. It was official, Daytona was a two-wheeled town and what’s now known as Bike Week was born. Each year popularity grew for the races, and soon, as non-race related activities flourished, crowds became more and more rough-edged. The invasion, as it came to be called, became so rowdy that after the 1986 event a special task force was formed in cooperation with the city and chamber of commerce to manage the gathering.
Some things have not changed. Daytona’s Bike Week is now a ten-day festival and is known as “the worlds largest motorcycle gathering.” It also continues to attract crowds from all over the globe… as well as corporate sponsors, including the likes of Budweiser and Harley-Davidson. With this event aging along with it’s patrons though, will Daytona hang on to it’s bad-boy, bar-banging reputation?
Take a look at this years events schedule. It reveals a discount prescription card and a section dedicated to the event’s “Executive Riders,” who apparently “shed the confinements of day-to-day business and evolve into a completely different self.” Whatever that means. Only time will tell what the next phase of Daytona Bike week will be. We certainly hope it includes a little bit of the spirit Mr. Kretz and others in the early days displayed, hanging it all out atop two wheels on a beach in Florida.
[Source: Official Bike Week]
Daytona Bike Week 2010: The magic number is 69 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Motorcycle, Electric
You may have read our latest report regarding the future of recently canned Buell Motorcycles. Everyone’s favorite American sportbike company hit the chopping block a few months back at the hand of industry giant Harley-Davidson, and its cropping of the division has led Erik Buell to forge ahead with his competitively obsessed Erik Buell Racing brand. However, a key player in the now defunct company may have sparked a bright future with another American motorcycle company.
Zero Motorcycles, the little electric motorcycle manufacturer that could, has announced the hiring of former Buell Vice President of Engineering Abe Askenazi. Coming off of a 14-year stretch with Buell, Askenazi will no doubt bring a level of experience and insight to Zero beyond its years. With funding at an all time high and the obvious future in electric vehicles, the transition from combustion to current should be rewarding for both Askenazi and Zero. Click past the break to view the complete press release.
Gallery: Zero Motorcycles Zero DS
[Source: Asphalt & Rubber]
Continue reading Zero Charges Forward: Electric motorcycle company hires top talent from Buell
Zero Charges Forward: Electric motorcycle company hires top talent from Buell originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Motorcycle
It was called “Seth VS Death” by the marketing gurus in Milwaukee. Seth Enslow, who we’ve barely heard a peep from in years, emerged yesterday atop a modified Harley-Davidson XR1200 with the goal of breaking the world record for longest jump aboard a Bar and Shield-clad cycle.
For reasons unknown, his quest takes us to Sydney Harbor in Australia. Utilizing a ramp-to-ramp setup, Seth managed to surpass the existing record of 157 feet, set by Bubba Blackwell in 1999, extending the new mark to 183.7 feet. This came as a result of a second attempt, due to the fact that cameras were not rolling (oops) during his first flight of 175 feet. What does it feel like to set a flight record aboard American Iron? Mr Enslow said he was “stoked” and continued, “I might have broke a record, but I think I broke my nut too.” Apparently, the 562 pounds plus metal tank multiplied by 183 feet equals pain equation had not crossed Seth’s mind.
In it’s official press release, HD cites the hope of appealing to “a new generation of counter-culture riders” as the reason behind promoting the jump. And, of course, there was a nice Evel Knievel reference thrown in for good measure. Is this the last we will see of Seth and his airborne XR? That seems doubtful, but judging by the crowd, or lack thereof, this could be one record that may stand the test of time. Click past the break to watch the video. Thanks to G.D. for tip!
[Source: Harley-Davidson]
International Flight: Seth Enslow breaks world record on a Harley-Davidson [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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