2010 July - Motorcycle News

July 31, 2010

Moto Guzzi Griso and Ducati Hypermotard concepts

Although Italian design found its peak in the 1960's, they can create fantastic cars and motorcycles nowadays, too. A couple of students in their second year of the IED design institute created two interesting concepts, based on the Moto Guzzi Griso performance cruiser and the Ducati Hypermotard supermoto. Read the full article »


July 30, 2010

2011 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra: the bigger the better

Harley-Davidson already introduced its 2011 lineup, but most of the models only got minor changes. But among the big CVO's and touring machines there's a whole new motorcycle, the Road Glide Ultra, which is based on the Road Glide. The new model shares some of the features with the standard model, like the front fairing with halogen headlamps. But don't let the nose fool you, it's a whole new bike. Hit the jump for specific details. Read the full article »


July 30, 2010

North Korean motorcycle company available for export

You want a cheap motorcycle? Usually, you think about chinese, indian or brazil manufacturers, but now, there's a fourth option. North Korean motorcycles are now available for export, but there's not much official information about the models. According to the spec-sheet at least half of them are 125cc single-cylinder 5-strokes - a technology unavailable in corrupt imperialist nations. Read the full article »


July 29, 2010

Ducati 999 Beach Racer hits 134mph on the beach

This custom Ducati was built by a motorcycle dealer in New Zealand. The second-hand 2003 Ducati 999 is equipped with fully adjustable Nemesis race ECU, which is front-mounted with the battery case and waterproofed wiring loom, a custom exhaust system, and modified rear 17-inch rear wheel with knobby tyre. Read the full article »


July 29, 2010

American Olympians on BMW motorcycles?

The Olympics isn't a meaningful event for motorcyclists, but this can change pretty fast thanks to a new agreement and sponsorship announcement. None other than the BMW Group will be the Official Mobility Partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) from now through 2016. The only question is, what kind of motorcycles will the Olympians get? Read the full article »


July 28, 2010

2011 Harley-Davidson SuperLow – a new Harley for beginners and girls

Harley-Davidson's top-selling entry-level bike, the XL883L Low, just got better. Harley gave the Low a complete makeover for 2011 to improve its suspension for a softer, more compliant ride. The 883cc V-Twin engine got a few extra Nm's of torque, while the seat height had been increased. The revised bike deserved a new name, the XL883L SuperLow. Read the full article »


July 27, 2010

Video: Vladimir Putin rides a Harley trike at Sevastopol Motorcycle Festival

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin leaped on a Harley-Davidson trike at international motorcycle festival in southern Ukraine. In sunglasses, black jeans and black fingerless gloves, Putin told the 5000-strong crowd: "Long live Russia, long live Ukraine, long live the bike." He described motorcycles as "the most democratic form of transport". Read the full article »


July 27, 2010

Daft Punk helmet: style for individualists

French electronic duo Daft Punk has a true cult following, particularly from young house fans. Designer Volpin Props made a special helmet inspired by their music. The futuristic helmet required almost 17 months to build and the result is beyond just being amazing. Hit the jump for two videos (one of the 17-month build packed into 3-minutes, and another of the complete helmet). Read the full article »


July 26, 2010

Harley considering assembly plant in India

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reported that Harley-Davidson is planning to build a manufacturing plant or rather a motorcycle assembly plant in India for the purpose of lowering the almost 100% tariff on imported heavyweight bikes. The company sells 32 percent of its motorcycle outside the US but wants to increase this number. Read the full article »


July 26, 2010

KTM to release 125 to 350cc street-legal motorcycles this year

KTM is about to introduce a whole new range of 125 to 350cc motorcycles this year. The news comes from the company's third quarter 2009/10 financial report. The document also says that the new bikes are being built in cooperation with giant Indian manufacturer Bajaj, which owns over 30% of KTM. Read the full article »