Woodcliff Lake, NJ - August 12, 2008…Proving good things do come in small packages, Husqvarna Motorcycles is preparing to introduce its highly anticipated 250cc four-stroke engine in the all-new 2009 TC 250 Motocross race bike this year. The ultra light, compact power plant - tested at various racing venues this summer - has drawn intense interest from the motorcycling community.
Weighing a scant 48.5 lbs., the little dynamo promises to raise the bar in compact engine performance. Produced by the Husqvarna factory in Varese, Italy, the mini powerplant features four titanium radial valves and is 13 percent smaller overall than other single cylinder engines on the market. Although the 2009 TC 250 will be produced in limited quantities in late 2008, Husqvarna may still opt to race it in the 2009 World Motocross Championship.

Former 500cc World Champion and current MX3 class contender in the World Motocross series, Andrea Bartolini has been a key player in the development of Husqvarna’s new TC 250. Acting as chief test rider for the new bike, Bartolini has been working with the Husqvarna Research and Development team to ensure that the new powerplant will be a world leader.

“The new TC 250 is very thin and compact, offering superior handling and responsiveness,” commented Bartolini.

One of the most popular bikes on the road today is the Suzuki SV650. They are comfortable, handle well, get great gas mileage and retail for about $6000.00 in the US. Used SV’s are really great deals. It comes in 2 variations- a Sport model with a quarter fairing and a standard naked model. The Sport is rather generic looking; kind of like all the other Sport style bikes out there. But the naked version really lends itself to either classic European schemes (think Triumph or Ducati) or Streetfighter schemes. Since most of my work is painting bikes, I like to do something a little different once in a while. So when this 2007 standard SV650 came in I decided to paint it like I paint Ducati Monsters with a stripe down the center and 2 pinstripes for accent. I also painted the headlight bucket and blacked out the upper triple clamp and handlebars. The LeoVinci pipe looks and sounds great. It came out with a very nice mix between classic and streetfighter.

]]> http://www.motobikeblog.com/2008/08/03/custom-suzuki-sv650s/feed/ http://www.motobikeblog.com/2008/07/29/sweet-ducati-desmosedici-rr-in-lenos-garage/ http://www.motobikeblog.com/2008/07/29/sweet-ducati-desmosedici-rr-in-lenos-garage/#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:33:01 +0000 Curt http://www.motobikeblog.com/?p=666 Check out the video from Jay Leno’s Garage as he gets the royal treatment from Ducati. Thanks Jerry!

From the floor of the dealers meeting in Las Vegas we have these pictures of the new Harley Trike. The first one is obviously a show bike but I think the second one is production. I’d rather have one of the Can Am Polaris built 3 wheelers that have the 2 wheels in the front and lean like a real motorcycle but I’m sure that these will sell simply because they are Harleys. You have to figure that with Harley sales down about 20% this year, they are scrambling to come up with new products and revenue streams. Buying Agusta might help by adding a class of rider that would not normally even consider Harley. Should be interesting in the year to come.  Edit- The Can Am’s don’t lean- see comment. Watch the Leno video and you will see one in action.

Pretty bike and the engine has a character all its own. Check it out at the Moto Guzzi website-
From their Press Release-

This newest addition to the Moto Guzzi line, the Griso 1200 8V has been designed  to flourish in the realm of two-wheel beauty and performance; a bold and brash machine that combines old world bloodlines with modern engineering. A harmonious marriage of chrome and satin finished metal, the Griso perpetuates the revered lineage of gorgeous motorcycles that have formed the Guzzi family for more than 85 years.

A striking amalgamation of minimal bodywork, mechanical innovation, and rider comfort, the new Griso  is right at home in the land that gave birth to  da Vinci, bathed in the same eternally sensual magic that has been the stamp of Italy for centuries. It represents the next generation of motorcycles to emerge from the Moto Guzzi Factory, taking an evolutionary step in engineering while retaining the essence of the brand’s time-honored soul.

Streamlined Design
The Griso possesses a muscular, handsome persona, a sleek design that carries from the wide tubular handlebar at the front to the narrow tail section at the back in one uninterrupted flow of minimal bodywork.  The gas tank is slightly recessed into the stiff tubular chassis and seamlessly mates to the finely upholstered seat, a stylish design cue that extends through to the compact, aerodynamic tail section that houses the high-intensity LED tail light.

As a naked machine, the Griso’s mechanical components are on full display in a boldly sporting presence. Once astride the Griso the rider is rewarded with practical ergonomics that allows excellent control while placing the greatest importance on comfort.  Attention to detail is reinforced in every aspect of the machine from design to final assembly of all components. Moto Guzzi made sure to imbue the Griso with nothing but the finest, a trait that has made it one of Italy’s most treasured exports.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council’s most recent research, the number of women motorcycle riders increased 34 percent between 1998 and 2003.  Today, major manufacturers report annual increases in sales to women and actively court female riders.  The Motorcycle Safety Foundation says women make up nearly 30% of students in its learn-to-ride Basic RiderCoursesSM across the United States.

Many remarkable women have blazed a path on two wheels. Here, Nationwide salutes four who have been named to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

*    Adeline and Augusta Van Buren: In 1916, Adeline and Augusta rode
to coast to coast on Indian motorcycles – the first women to make the transcontinental journey solo on two motorcycles. The sisters rode to convince the military that women were capable of serving as dispatch riders. Although they were unsuccessful in that mission, they were able shatter many of the early twentieth century’s stereotypes about women.

*    Bessie Stringfield: In the 1930s and 1940s, Bessie – a female,
African-American motorcyclist - broke down barriers by completing eight solo cross-country tours and serving as a U.S. Army motorcycle dispatch rider. During these tours, she rode fearlessly through the deep South when racial prejudice was a tangible threat. Bessie rode her first motorcycle, an Indian, at the age of 16 and went on to own 27 Harley-Davidsons.

*    Dot Robinson: In the mid-twentieth century, Dot paved the way
for women motorcyclists. In 1939, she and fellow motorcyclist, Linda Dugeau, began Motor Maids of America. Today, Motor Maids is thriving and is the oldest motorcycling organization for women in North America. Dot also opened doors for women in motorcycle competition. An enduro racer, in 1940, Dot became the first woman to win in AMA national competition.

“These women are inspiring to all riders,” said Mark Mederski, executive director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. “And, the Hall of Fame encourages motorcyclists to nominate more remarkable women for inclusion.”

“In many ways Harley-Davidson’s story mirrors the story of America,” said company spokeswoman Rebecca Bortner. “The company is 105 years old, has weathered recessions, depressions, wars, and ups and downs and highs and lows … I think that’s one reason people have a lot of pride in Harley-Davidson.”

The largest U.S. motorcycle maker is now a Fortune 500 company with nearly $6 billion annual revenue and a connection to its owners that is unrivaled in any industry. About half the motorcycles sold in the U.S. are Harleys, known for their sleek curves and roar. The company boasts more than 1 million members in its Harley Owners Group, or HOG.

…The company had about 90 percent of the items in its archives — few have been seen by the public before — but had to go to private owners to buy some items, Schiesl said. Those included some of the hill climbing bikes, board track racing bikes and early police bikes.

So here’s the deal, encourage people to buy something that is safe for the conditions they ride in. Scooters are OK for urban downtown areas or in a neighborhood where traffic moves slowly. But the small ones are simply not safe on open roads or highways. I have a feeling we are going to see some ugly accidents if common sense doesn’t prevail. Saving money on gas doesn’t matter if you are dead or in the hospital!

Consumer Reports did an survey to see what people are doing or plan to do in light of 4-5.00/gal gasoline and all of the things on the list are predictable except one. Here’s the list-

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• 79 percent of car shoppers intend to buy a vehicle with better fuel economy.

• 80 percent of car shoppers are considering a diesel, flex-fuel, or hybrid vehicle.

• 54 percent would pay more for a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

• 74 percent are driving less due to fuel costs.

• $4.32 is the median tipping point when drivers will further drastically curtail driving.

• 26 percent have considered two-wheel transportation, such as a motorcycle or motor scooter.

• 0 percent are looking for a model that is much larger.

Did you pick the same one as me? I was very surprised to see that 26% of the people questioned are considering a motorcycle or scooter. No doubt they are the best alternative for a lot of people, but it still surprised me. That said, I do have to admit the bike business is very good right now- especially cheaper used bikes and scooters. My pick for the best all around commuter bike? The Suzuki SV650. 50+ mpg and a lot of fun to ride. Plenty of power to play and great handling. The VFR next to it is also a great sport/commuter bike. What’s your pick?