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Bench Racing & The Morning Reads

Hi Mika!
Once again I want to thank you for Morning Reads. While I admit I do not necessarily read it "cover to cover" I do regularly find something of interest and/or an article or video that brings me up to speed on a topic of which I was unaware.

The S1000RR campaign has me thinking two ways. In reacting to the imagery from an art sense it's really something, does remind me of Frank Miller.
In another sense I can see where this kind of stereotyping could possibly ruffle some feathers.
Regardless I think the S1000RR has great potential, now can BMW put together a winning season? We shall see. I would love to see how that bike performs at the Isle of Man TT.

--

The Asphaltfighter?« Stormbringer is some kind of monster. I think it's a mule for technology that is either in it's infancy or just a little beyond that. Exciting to see what's just beyond the horizon, isn't it?

--

Finally the bike candy, I do enjoy. This morning's R50S confirms again that I do appreciate the vintage stuff. Although I own no vintage bikes and quite frankly couldn't mechanic my way out of a wet paper sack I can appreciate the efforts of others.

Thanks, man!
 
Saturday, December 5

Thanks for the post Wezul! I hope people will feel free to comment on anything they see in here at any time. The Vintagent will have to fill your vintage needs this morning. The Bike Cruller takes a humorus look at a bike build.



Racing

The satellite team stories keep rolling in this one from motorsport-total.com is more of the same but no news on any official BMW website or PressClub that I have found. 2010 is going to be a great year to follow the S1000RR in many series. ÔÇ£I [wonÔÇÖt] mention any names. Only this: I assume that we will compete with an experienced pilot and a junior rider. This mixture there was with us earlier on several occasions, and it is working well for us well."

On the heels of the satellite team stories comes another from MotoStation.com who says BWM France has confirmed that BMW will be taking the S1000RR endurance racing in 2010.

motociclismo.es translated: We hopped onto the BWM S1000RR of Xaus and Cosrser
Some interesting observations.

motorcyclenews.com: Valentino Rossi fears engine restrictions will hurt MotoGP

motomatters.com: AMA to race at Laguna with MotoGP?

roadracingworld.com: American Suzuki confirms 2010 AMA Pro Road Racing plans

asphaltand rubber.com: Erik Buell racing 1190RR race bike announce ÔÇô Furutre World Superbike contender?
That strikes me as a leap. The WSBK field sports 200hp across the board while Buell is claiming 185 for the up coming bike. Stay tuned it is due out 12/30. What ever it is, it is fun to think Erik Buell is up to some US bike building and racing fun so soon again.

Buell-1125RR-race-bike-560x373.jpg



On the Street

dealernews.com: BMW has high hopes for Superbike
Peiter De Wall spoke at the press introduction for the Long Beach IMS about the bike and the companyÔÇÖs hopes for it.

ultimatemotocycling.com: 2010 KTM 1190 RC8R Limited Edition

thevintagent.blogspot.com: RudgeÔÇÖs Rudges

webbikeworld.com: Clearwater LED Flashlight review
ÔÇ£Summary: Extremely powerful for its size, the Clearwater LED flashlight throws a focused beam of white light that is simply amazing, especially considering it has only a single LED.ÔÇØ

At the 2008 EG conference, famed puzzle designer Scott Kim takes us inside the puzzle-maker's frame of mind. Sampling his career's work, he introduces a few of the most popular types, and shares the fascinations that inspired some of his best.

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RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

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Sunday, Dec 6

Racing

fim-live.com: Poncharal plays down 2010 hopes

motociclismo.es: Ben Spies, a shy hero who hates to loose

motomatters.com: Ezpeleta ÔÇô ÔÇ£We will not define what a production engine is.ÔÇØ

Riders rule the news during the season. In the off season team bosses take over and put the pressure on. fim-live.com: Nakamoto issues Dovisioso warning.

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Suzuki Racing History

On the Street

cyrilhuzblog.com: Girder front end are much more than for strength and looks

motorcycle-usa.com: IMS partners with TapouT

Many of thought Claudio was the real rider in the Long Way Round and he became something of a cult hero around the forum. I have lost track of him and was pleased to stumble across this piece. The information section on YouTube gives this intro:

Claudio von Planta, world famous documentary producer, has come to Imperial to film the car and the team! Claudio is the cameraman behind such TV hits as Long Way Round, Long Way Down, and By Any Means Necessary.

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RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

Found this pastry on a French caf?® racer supplier site motorne.com

photo9max.jpg


photo9max2.jpg
 
Monday, December 7

Racing

motomatters.com: No Aprilia Moto2 at Valencia, project close to termination

worldsbk.com: Valencia the venue for some top name WSB test this week

On the Street

Another take on the S1000RR, this time from Cycle World

ÔÇ£One thing is certain: The S1000RR is the real deal. BMW has finally produced a sportbike that performs on par with the current competition from Austria, Italy and Japan.ÔÇØ

Will this jeopardize CWÔÇÖs status as an advertising arm of the Big Four?

Is a naked mildly customized feet forward production bike really worth $24, 499 because it has a signature?
Cycleworld ÔÇô New Bike File: 2010 Victory Cory Ness Signature Series Jackpot

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Confederate at the LA Auto Show. A new strategy?

jsonline.com: Retreads senior bikers make their mark on the road

thevintagent.blogspot.com: 1914 Jefferson v-twin

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

BMW-R27-66-Steib.jpg


Via-vintagebike.co.uk
 
Tuesday Dec 8

Racing

From BMW-web.tv

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egrandprix.com: TTXGP links into the IET

fim-live.com: Top [WSB] Teams in Valencia

fim-live.com: Speedway as a school of life

On the Street

ducationnewstoday.com: Who will take on the Ducati Multistrada 1200?
I may cross post this into the Multistrada thread but I wanted to see if we could get a discussion going here. The article takes on several of the sacred cows when it compares the Multistrada to the competition.

roadracingworld.com: More on California Superbike SchoolÔÇÖs switch to BMW S1000RRs

ultimatemotorcycling.com: Peiter de Waal, President BMW Motorrad US, introduces the S1000RR at IMS Long Beach - Video

asphaltandrubber.com: 2010 Honda VFR1200F US msrp set at $15,999 base

solooffroad.com: Husqvarna SM360

IMG_1134_400.jpg

motorcyclemuseum.org: Taglioni-designed Grand Prix bike wins 2009 Concours dÔÇÖElegance

thevintagent.com: 2010 Quail Motorcycle Gathering
thevintagent.blogspot.com[/ur.l] H&H Auction Brough &Brough

[url= http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.motorevue.com/site/moto-morini-a-l-arret-45569.html&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=iso-8859-1]motorevue.com
: Moto Morini has stopped production
-related-
asphaltandrubber.com: Moto Morini production shuts down


BMW Group November sales numbers are in. Overall they are up but the motorrad segment follows the motorcycle trend and is down. For the selective readers in the group;

BMW Motorcycles sold 5,503 (prev. yr. 5,773 / -4.7%) motorcycles worldwide in November. For the year to the end of November, 81,946 (prev. yr. 94,237 / -13.0%) motorcycles were delivered to customers

The numbers are encouraging. There is no where near the blood red ink on the floor that other manufacturers are finding in the columns of numbers they track. Yet I would be hearing footsteps coming up from behind if I were walking the halls in Munich.

BMW Motorrad is a destination brand. Riders normally come to BMW after working their way through various other brands. For example, the average age of a BMW rider in any market year has always been 5-7 years older than the rest in reports I have seen.

With that in mind I would be a little cautious about what these numbers tell us. Yes BMW motorrad sales are declining at a much slower rate than say the Japanese more than 50% decline. However; as a destination brand are the sales destined to decline father down the road for BMW, and at a time when others are recovering and showing gains, because other manufacturers are not putting riders in the tank now?

The full press release follows.

BMW Group retail grows 11.5% in November

ÔÇó 08.12.2009
ÔÇó Press Release

BMW sales 11.1% higher; MINI volumes up 13.8%
Successful start for BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and BMW X1

Munich. BMW Group sales continued their upward trend in November. Overall, the company delivered 11.5% more vehicles than in the same month last year at 107,686 (prev. yr. 96,609) units. Since the start of the year, 1,162,510 (prev. yr. 1,323,453 / -12.2%) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce have been sold worldwide.

Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: ÔÇ£Since September, sales have been back on the growth track. In November we achieved another substantial increase in our global deliveries. We intend to continue this trend in December.ÔÇØ

In the month under review, sales of BMW brand automobiles rose to 90,383 units (prev. yr. 81,386 / +11.1%). A total of 963,712 (prev. yr. 1,104,983 / -12.8%) BMW vehicles were sold in the year to the end of November. Almost all BMW model series made gains. In November the strongest growth came from the BMW Z4, with an increase of 149.3% (1,760 / prev. yr. 706), and the BMW 7 Series, with gains of 57.1% (5,025 / prev. yr. 3,198). The BMW 1 Series saw growth of 11.7% (16,614 / prev. yr. 14,877), while the BMW 3 Series and the 5 Series reported gains of 3.4% (32,230 / prev. yr. 31,168) and 3.7% (14,164 / 13,665) respectively. In November growth was also driven by the X5 and X6 models, which registered total sales of 11,515 units (+3.6% / prev. yr. 11,120). The new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and BMW X1 models introduced in late October are being very well received by customers ÔÇô new orders for both are well above plan. No less than 2,940 BMW X1 and 1,110 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo were already delivered to customers in November.

MINI brand volumes were also considerably higher in November. With sales of 17,199 (prev. yr. 15,113) vehicles, deliveries rose 13.8%. For the year to the end of November a total of 198,163 (prev. yr. 217,415 / -8.9%) MINI cars were sold. In the past month Rolls-Royce delivered 104 automobiles (prev. yr. 110 / -5.5%). Between January and November 635 (prev. yr. 1,055 / -39.8%) of the brandÔÇÖs vehicles were delivered to customers around the world.

With gains in Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa the BMW Group was able to improve its sales figures on almost all continents in the month under review.
In Europe 63,999 vehicles were sold (prev. yr. 57,187 / +11.9%), the majority ÔÇô 59,698 units ÔÇô in the major established markets of Western Europe (prev. yr. 53,972 / +10.6%). However, in Eastern Europe, also, all signs pointed to growth in November, with a total of 3,291 (prev. yr. 2,868 / +14.7%) deliveries.

In the Asian region, 33.3% more vehicles were sold in the past month (16,030 / prev. yr. 12,030). The trend in AsiaÔÇÖs largest market, China, remained extremely positive, with sales climbing 39.7% to 8,470 vehicles (prev. yr. 6,062). In Japan, AsiaÔÇÖs second biggest market, the BMW Group sold 2,885 units (prev. yr. 2,788 / +3.5%). But there were also welcome gains in many smaller Asian markets. For instance, in November sales increased 140% (103 units) in Indonesia, 139% (980) in South Korea, 136.8% (315) in Malaysia, 94.1% (295) in Thailand and 57.1% (256) in India.

In Oceania the company sold 28.4% more vehicles, with 2,051 (prev. yr. 1,597) deliveries in the month under review.

The BMW Group was also able to increase sales in Africa (+10.3% / 2,125 deliveries). South Africa, in particular, was once again the continentÔÇÖs number one volume market with sales of 1,583 units (prev. yr. 1,450 / +9.2%).

With 15,708 (prev. yr. 15,217) deliveries, the BMW brand achieved a 3.2% increase in the month under review in the USA, whereas the MINI brand, with 2,564 (prev. yr. 4,545) deliveries, experienced a decrease of 43.6%. As a result, in the USA the level of sales for the BMW Group was down by 7.5% (18,272 / prev. yr. 19,762) compared to November 2008. However, the South American markets maintained their strong growth trend last month. For instance, deliveries in Brazil climbed 415.5% to 897 (prev. yr. 174) and Argentina reported an increase in sales of 37.6% to 249 (prev. yr. 181) units. Overall, the BMW Group reported a decrease in sales of 1.3% in the American markets (23,345 / prev. yr. 23,653) last month.

BMW Motorcycles sold 5,503 (prev. yr. 5,773 / -4.7%) motorcycles worldwide in November. For the year to the end of November, 81,946 (prev. yr. 94,237 / -13.0%) motorcycles were delivered to customers.


BMW Group sales in/up to November 2009 at a glance

In Nov. 2009
Comp. to previous year
Up to and incl. Nov. 2009
Comp. to previous year
BMW Group Automobiles
107,686
+11.5%
1.162,510
-12.2%
BMW
90,383
+11.1%
963,712
-12.8%
MINI
17,199
+13.8%
198,163
-8.9%
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
104
-5.5%
635
-39.8%
BMW Motorcycles
5,503
-4.7%
81,946
-13.0%



RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

735128727_Z6fQc-M.png


Hans looked down and knew it was going to be one of ÔÇÿthoseÔÇÖ days.
 
Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Racing

worldsbk.com: Shane Byrne overcomes illness but misses Valencia test

crash.net: Parelli pleased as WSBK gets faster

Going Down Under?
roadracingworld.com: Wild Card entries now being accepted for the World Superbike Round Feb 26-28 in Australia

cdnsuperbike.com: 2010 Schedule Released

A more detailed report on SuzukiÔÇÖs AMA Pro Racing plans for 2010
motorsport.com: Suzuki announces 2010 racing plans

fim-live.com: Corser welcomes Toseland return

crash.net: Read Moto2 times with caution.
None of the teams have the official Honda spec engine and are using varying versions of the supersport engine available on the street to power their test chassis. The various states of tune will mean great differences in times.

motorcyclenews.com: Kevin Schwantz ÔÇô Suzuki wrong not to sign Ben Spies
"Ben was with Suzuki since he was 16 and there was nothing really done to try and accommodate him.
"I think everybody is going to see that his World Superbike title wasnÔÇÖt a fluke.ÔÇØ

fim-live.com: Lorenzo up for Rossi challenge

motomatters.com: Ezpeleta: ÔÇ£The bike makes a prototype, not the engineÔÇØ

sportrider.com: Kaz Yoshima uses data acquisition system

reuters.com: Patrick to race part-time in Nationwide Series

On the Street

Kawasaki GTR1400 takes on the mighty BMW K1300GT

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ultimatemotorcycling.com: 2010 Aprilia RSV-4 R

visordown.com: Honda to source new bike parts from India. The bikes built with these parts, like the VFR1200F will be more and more targeted at China. The Japanese big bike market is saturated and others are close so look out Bejing.

RECALL

Report Date : December 9, 2009 at 07:23 AM
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V457000

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
H-D / FLHP 2009-2010
H-D / FLHPE 2009-2010
H-D / FLHR 2009-2010
H-D / FLHR SHRINE 2009-2010
H-D / FLHRC 2009-2010
H-D / FLHT 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTC 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU SHRINE 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU W/SC 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU4-CVO 2009
H-D / FLHTCUSE4 2009
H-D / FLHTCUSE5 2010
H-D / FLHTCUTG 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTK 2010
H-D / FLHTP 2009-2010
H-D / FLHX 2009-2010
H-D / FLHXXX 2010
H-D / FLTR 2009
H-D / FLTR3-CVO 2009
H-D / FLTRSE3 2009

Manufacturer: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: NOV 25, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V457000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 111569

Summary
:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 TOURING FAMILY MOTORCYCLES, INCLUDING CVO TOURING AND TRIKE PRODUCTS, MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 6, 2008 THROUGH NOVEMBER 19, 2009. THE FRONT FUEL TANK MOUNTS MAY DISTORT IN REACTION TO SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE FROM A FRONTAL COLLISION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AT THE WELD OF THE FRONT BRACKET TO THE TUNNEL.

Consequence:
A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LEFT AND RIGHT BRACE, WHICH ARE INTENDED TO REDUCE FRONT MOUNT DISTORTION DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS. THIS REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 14, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

736224794_2cxF2-M.jpg


736224786_MyHC8-M.jpg


via: caferacerculture.blogspot.com
 
Thursday, December 10, 2009

We had between a 12 and 16 inches of snow in my corner of FOL and then came the winds. Drifts closed roads and some people will be snow bound for a day or more. That is completely bad. Snow bound people have no reason to go outside, unlike me. The wind chill factor is close to a -20??. I am worming up by posting what I forgot to earlier.

Racing

>SBK

worldsbk.com: Haslam tops day one times at Valencia

motormatters.com: Valencia test day 1 ÔÇô Haslam fastest ahead of Biaggi

crash.net: Reitwagen Motorsport reveals WSBK plans

>CASBK
cdnsuperbike.com: Deeley Buell will continue racing in Canada in 2010

>France
caradisiac.com: Gimbert on a S1000RR in France

>MotoGP
motorcyclenews.com: Honda chassis is major weak point says HRC boss

On the Street

vanishingpointbikes.com: Vintage safety video

motorcyclenews.com: Fist UK BMW S1000RR dyno test ÔÇô 183 bhp at the wheel

November sales figures have naked bikes back in the black
http://www.mcia.co.uk/display_article.aspx?OBJ_ID=2113445
http://www.mcia.co.uk/downloads_temp/3706b4d8-f813-4ba4-a7ae-ec03c4da1aaf_Imported_File.PDF

VW buys a stake in Suzuki. ÔÇô Let the rumors begin!

VW and Suzuki heads shook hands as they announced that, pending various approvals, VW is buying a 19.9% of Suzuki Motors for a reported $2.5 billion. In turn Suzuki will invest up to half the proceeds in a cross-shareholding, or roughly $1.13 billion, to purchase of a 2.5 percent voting stake in VW as part of the overall deal. The VW investment in Suzuki will have an indirect impact on the motorcycle segment of the company but this is clearly a cage deal and story. VWÔÇÖs goal is to overtake Toyota as the worldÔÇÖs largest auto by 2018.

The Suzuki investment brings VW help with the growing Asian market and the Indian market in particular. Suzuki owns a 54% share of Maruti Suzuki, India's top carmaker. Conversely VW is currently the largest car maker in China a market that Suzuki wants to tap very much. VW will help Suzuki fill the hybrid and electric holes in its current auto lineup.

Volkswagen, with its 10 brands including Audi, Skoda, Seat and Porsche would reach its 2018 goal with relative ease if Suzuki became a subsidiary. However; Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki repeated that he did not intend the company he has led for three decades to come under VW's control.

"I don't want you to misunderstand: Suzuki is not becoming a 12th brand for Volkswagen," Suzuki said when asked whether the company might get a German CEO in the future. "I don't want other folks telling me how to do things."

His protestation is credible due to his past experience. Starting in 1981 GM purchased an interest in Suzuki. Approximately a year ago as the US auto industry was imploding Suzuki bought back GMÔÇÖs similar share they purchased in Suzuki. Since that time Suzuki has sought another equity partner.

What does this mean for the Suzuki Motorcycle segment?

The VW is clearly a cage deal but it has at least two impacts on the motorcycle segment.

In the short term it means return to the previous internal status quo. The cash infusion replaces what was taken out in the repurchase of the GM portion. This will go a long way to relieve the internal pressures on the motorcycle segment as it deals with the external issue of hemorrhaging double digit declines in the motorcycle market.

This allows Suzuki to go racing as their AMA Pro Racing Series strategy announcement shows. 2010 Suzuki will not magically begin shipping to the NA shores. Inventories still need to be managed and so the shipping halts will continue. At the same time it means new product development may continue. This is good for Suzuki, fans of the big S and I would argue for the motorcycle industry in general.

In the long run there is potential for conflict in the goals of Suzuki motorcycles and Suzuki cages / VW. India is the best example of what I mean.

India has had a counter transportation to the one we accustomed to. As the world economy improved motorcycle companies were able to take some of the disposable income generated and convert that into customers and sales. In India the motorcycle had been the backbone of personal transportation. Good economic times resulted in declining motorcycle sales as Indians found they could start affording to move up to cars. When the economic down turn loomed bike sales dropped in NA, for example, as they became a luxury people could not afford; while in India they increased again as they once again became the only motorized transport many could afford.

Improvement in the world economy could turn all of this on its head again from a motorcycle segment perspective putting the goals of the three elements in conflict; unless motorcycle sales in the rest of the world recover in the process. The continued development of product and markets by all the two wheeled manufactures will determine if this works or not.

All of that is for the future. Today we know that VW purchased a 19.9% stake in Suzuki.

736529823_S3ER5-S.jpg


Let the rumors begin.

Various sources including:
autonews.com
thekneeslider.com
motoblog.it
globalsuzuki.com
volswagenag.com

Speaking of Rumors :blush Motor Morini was only mostly dead for a day.

I should have checked with Miracle Max or maybe even Moto Morini advises mc24.n0.

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Press Kit
Technical Data
RedmondSpokesman

Robocop-r100rt.jpg

turboflat.blogspot.com

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

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736224786_MyHC8-M.jpg
 
Friday, December 11, 2009

Racing

There is a 8-10ÔÇÖ snow drift outside my place and I come across this on the internet.
thedesignblog.org: Runningblade ÔÇô 100mph lawnmower sets for a world record
project-runningblade-_03_n7OpU_17621.jpg


Its Official!!!
From BMW PressClub France:

S?®bastien Gimbert, Matthieu Lagrive and Erwan Nigon undertake with Michelin BMW team.
Translation by Bing
10.12.2009
Press release

In the dynamics of the marketing of the new BMW S 1000 RR hypersportive who is currently receiving very positive the whole of the international press, the Michelin tyres have found immediate support from BMW Motorrad France to meet all the challenge of the forthcoming 2010 endurance World Championship.

They confirm the presence of drivers S?®bastien Gimbert, Matthieu Lagrive and Erwan Nigon BMW S 1000 RR handlebar.

An implication that responds to the inspirations of the mark as Jean Michel Cavret, Director of BMW Motorrad France. "The endurance is in the genes of BMW because it incorporates fundamental that we hold dear as performance, technology, engine performance or reliability. We are fortunate in France to have the two most prestigious events calendar; the 24 hours of le mans and the Golden Bowl. Their impact is real and represents a real marketing for our new S 1000 RR support. That is why this project is a real legitimacy and I fully share the enthusiasm and confidence around this BMW Motorrad back in the World Endurance Championship. I am also very pleased that Matthieu Lagrive S?®bastien Gimbert and Erwan Nigon us join to meet with us this new challenge. These are drivers French fast and safe experience should enable this Michelin BMW team make progress very quickly.

Enthusiasm also shared by Jean Philippe Weber, Michelin motorcycle competition and the origin of this project Director: "I am very pleased with setting up this project and the enthusiasm he was able to raise BMW Motorrad France." The presence of S?®bastien Gimbert, Matthieu Lagrive and Erwan Nigon will allow us to take full advantage of their experience to climb our level of performance with our competitors. The World Endurance Championship is in fact the only Championship still multi-marques and this direct competition with our competitors is the very basis of the Michelin philosophy. That is why this challenge is by far the most interesting for Michelin. Advancing our tyres through this partnership with BMW Motorrad has a much stronger than the simple support for already existing stables flavor.

The Michelin BMW team who will bear the number 17, will therefore placed under the responsibility of Jean Philippe Weber, logistics and technology will be entrusted to Jean Fran?ºois Daffix, already in charge of the Michelin Power Research Team program. For its part, sports management will be provided by Bernard Rigoni.

world.sbj.com: Max the biggest factor at Valencia

yamaha-racing.com: Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike riders wrap a successful test in Valencia

fim-live.com: Corser believes in BMW

asphaltandrubber.com: Mat Mladin considering a move to World Superbike?

cdnsuperbike.com: Eligible brand and model update for 2010
-related-
asphaltandrubber.com: Canadian Superbike Championship bans 2010 Yamaha from racing ÔÇô Makes DMG look good

motogp.com: Productive second day for Moto2 teams

bbc.co.uk: Donington dropped as British Superbike venue

On the Street

motorcyclenews.com: BMW S1000RR group test initial report

onewheeldrive.net: Arctic Challenge Part 1: KTM 990 Adventure vs. BMW 1200 GS Adventurer & F800GS

moto22.com: RUMOR ÔÇô Three cylinder MV Agusta

mc24.no translated: Triumph Thruxton Special Edition

knucklebusterinc.com: Build you own drill press

I wonder if they are the same for bikes?
wired.com: The ten best days of the year to buy a car

wired.com: Barnes & Knoble Nook ÔÇô Wired.com product review
Nook e-reader promises but doesnÔÇÖt deliver

yankodesign.com: Electric Racer

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

I came across dadsvintageads.blogspot.com but have not really spent any time looking around. This may get one of you to do that and tell us what you find.

7904cyc.JPG
 
Saturday, December 12

WSBK et al.

motomatters.com: Mladin to test BMW in Oz?

caradisiac.com: The Garnier Racing Team moves to the S1000RR

cdnsuperbike.com: New tires from Pirelli for 2010 season

worldsbk.com: Infront Motor Sports CEO Paolo Flammini at Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco


MotoGP
motogp.com: MotoGP changes for 2012
-related-
asphaltandrubber.com: MotoGP ÔÇô 1000cc formula 2012 with 81mm bore max
-related-
moto22.com: MotoGP back to 1000cc in 2012

motogp.com: MotoGP representatives visit Geo Technology



On the Street

motorcycle-usa.com: Dr. Fazier risky adventure in the Phillipines

thevintagent.blogsport.com: Retro bike hauler

IMG_1721.JPG


motorcyclenews.com: WorldÔÇÖs most important Honda launched

cycleworld.com: Riding impressions ÔÇô 2009 Buell 1125RR Superbike

yankodesign.com: Folding fan is a keyboard
I am with the author of the article. The designerÔÇÖs claimed intent is to protect users from shared bacteria. Who cares? I like it because this slick item could open up use of a number of electronic gizmos that want to make their way into my tankbag but donÔÇÖt because of my fat fingers.

Just found this interesting ÔÇô
technologyreview.com: Getting ower from coal without digging it up

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

Team Incomplete Boxer via bikeexf.com

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Sunday, December 13

MotoGP

motogpmatters.com: More on the MotoGP rule changes ÔÇô 6 engines for 2010, Ride ÔÇôthroughs for infractions, tire sensors

On the Street

carodisiac.com: Comparison of the F800 models

webbikeworld.com: 2009 sales tax deduction for motorcycles ends soon (for those of you with money)

knicklebusterinc.com: Surface plate checking

timesonline.co.uk/Jeremy Clarkson: Sing about the fat man again and IÔÇÖll shoot Tiny Tim

wired.com: DIY book scanners turn your books into bytes
RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

739263632_9bvZ4-M.jpg


Adventureshcool.it
Via: bikepictureoftheday.blogspot.com
 
Monday, December 14, 2009

fim-live.com: Sidecar motocross ÔÇô A team sport

WSBK et al.

worldsbk.com: Stiggy Racing forced to end

crash.net: Corser lauds BMWÔÇÖs ÔÇ£incredible achievementÔÇØ in 2009

e-Racing

egrandprix.com: Canada plugs into electric racing with TTXGP

fim-live.com: FIM Ride Green Enduro 2009 ÔÇô the race that changes the future of motorcycling


On the Street

motorcyclenews.com: BMW S1000RR group test ÔÇô ÔÇ£ An exciting and surprising bikeÔÇØ

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

740628217_xrSRh-L.jpg
 
Tuesday, December 15, 2009

WSBK et al.

caradisiac.com: Superbike ÔÇô BMW ÔÇô The Reitwagan Racing has made its mark

motomatters.com: Stiggy to Reitwagen?
motomatters.com: Andrew Pitt to take 2nd BMW WSBK ride, No room for Mladin?

speedweek.eu: Andrew Pitt the next rider for Reitwagen

crash.net: Biaggi warns rivals more to come from Aprilia

worldsbk.com: Neukirchner moving onwards

superbikeplanet.com: Crossing Jordan ÔÇô Suzuki to skip jumpman?


MotoGP

bbc.co.uk: Steve ParrishÔÇÖs MotoGP column

motoczysz.com : MotoGP 1000cc ÔÇôchange is the only constant
A new look at the old dream.

e-Racing

egradprix.com: Canada plugs into electric racing with TTXGP

plugbike.com: 2009 Ride Green Eco Enduro results and video


On the Street

On the street is where Anne Palusso finds herself after being laid off from her job as Harley-Davidson Racing Manager. Apparently you donÔÇÖt need a racing manager to run a Dirt Track or Drag Racing program at H-D.

H-D is not the only American motorcycle manufacturer forced to reorganize due to economic conditions. Big Dog Motorcycles (BDM) is seeking to merge, partner or sell itself off. The builder of custom bikes in the $20-40K range the economic down turn has it getting hit in several directions. In the good times it was able to arrange tax breaks from the city of Wichita, where it is based. With that help they expanded but now have lain off over 200 workers. As a result the city is reconsidering its tax status.

sportrider.com: BMW S 1000RR

motorevue.com: BMW S1000RR ÔÇ£10% market share would be greatÔÇØ
Jean-Michel Cavret, French division director echoes a goal that has been around since the first announcement of the S1000RR project, but 10% of what?

In the first announcements of the S, BMW marketers placed the world sport bike market at 125,000 units per year. At the time this would have added 12,500 units to BMWÔÇÖs annual production which was hovering around the 103,000 unit mark. In a recent issue of Motorcyclist featuring the S the 10% goal was there again but the market had been revised to 85,000 units per year for 2009. BMW production and sales have declined also and are expected to reach the upper 80ÔÇÖs. If the S had been a 2009 serial production unit CavretÔÇÖs goal that would be a nice bump to that figure having almost the same impact on sales as the entire K line up does.

In 2008 the K bike lineup represented 11.7% of the motorcycles BMW built. If BMW were to pick up the 10% share of the then sport bike market the S would have added in the range of another 10% to production. Have no doubt the S1000RR is an important bike to BMW.

BMW WSBK has completed the first of a minimum five year plan to go racing. With the exception Cinderella story fans the 2009 season provided story lines that can be spun to everyoneÔÇÖs needs. There is plenty to make them heroes or villains. For BMW Motorrad Motorsport it set the stage for an expanded encore in 2010. A satellite team, expand racing at the national level, a return to endurance racing and possibly a yet to be announced entrance into North American racing are just a few of the things revealed so far. For all the news related to these expansions the news that will determine if a five year racing run is a maximum or minimum will be reported from dealer show rooms.

The early press reviews have been very strong. I have yet to see a really negative review. Even writers predisposed to not like BMWs have been begrudgingly won over by the S1000RR. In the various press releases BMW officials such as Jean-Michel Cavret have pointed to strong pre-orders for the bike. All of this bodes very well for BMW AG, dealers, riders and race fans.

Before we all go looking for a pen to fill in our nomination for new bike of the year, sport bike of the year or maybe even bike of the year there is an unlikely class of challengers that will be lurking in showrooms and an unlikely brand with a new bike to take the S1000RR. Both point to a whole in BMWÔÇÖs lineup and a possible direction for expansion for the sport bike line up from BMW Motorrad.

Back in post #47 I include a link to sales by motorcycle category from the British market. The naked class was the only class of bikes to show growth in an otherwise declining market. Take a look back at the various bikes show at Milan and many of them are heading in the naked direction if not already there. Could BMW find themselves in the position with the perfect on track story line spread over years, the best of class bike in the show room; only to find, with the exception of race track ticket sales, the market is going away from them?

Before you dismiss me as that crazy guy who rides a Roadster and posts a lot keep a few things in mind. Over 70% of BMWÔÇÖs sales are in the European market. The figures were for Britain but are being repeated elsewhere in that market. I realize naked bikes is a big class. I donÔÇÖt mean the ones like HondaÔÇÖs new most important naked bike. I am talking about the naked bikes in the sport bike class; hooligan bikes. Triumph and its Speed Triple has owned this niche for years. Their competition on the street came in the form of custom bikes or repli-racers from the big four.

There may be a new kid on block that moved in from the past when superbikes didnÔÇÖt have fairings and sometimes the winner was green. The new kid comes from the one manufacturer BMW Motorrad Motorsport beat in the 2009 World Superbike Manufacturers Championship point race, Kawasaki.

Motorcycle.comÔÇÖs review of the new Kawasaki Z1000 is quite favorable. ÔÇ£The new Z1000 truly is a sportbike that can entertain a hardcore sport rider yet be a dextrous and multifaceted motorcycle for real-world riding conditions. With an MSRP less than some 600cc sportbikes, it's one of the best performance bargains available.ÔÇØ

Scroll down to the sidebar piece toward the end. You may well be asking what the writers did.

ÔÇ£A Naked Sportbike: Will it sell in America this time around?

Albert Einstein's definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. After two underwhelming attempts to peddle a streetfighter-style naked sportbike, one wonders if Kawasaki Motors Corp USA might be a little demented.ÔÇØ

The question may be valid; however for BMW Motorrad it misses the point. In excess of 70% of BMWÔÇÖs sales are in Europe. The Z1000 has been a hot seller in Europe and could be even stronger with the new model. Kawasaki could take on Triumph the street fighter champion and steel super bike sales from everyone in the process. For BMW the question is what do they have to fill the whole in their sport bike market?

Sorry BMW and you too guys, the K1300 in any form is a square peg. Yes there are K bikes that have been converted into hooligan bikes, land speed records set and on and on. But in the show room it is a square peg.

BMW needs to take the 183bhp at the rear wheel 1000 engine and stuff it in a sporty street frame chain and all. Keep the weight way down. This thing isnÔÇÖt being built to a FIM racing class. No Durolever suspension either. Styling will be important but donÔÇÖt overdo it and for gawds sakes donÔÇÖt include any of us in your market focus groups for that. Finally, it would make me proud but donÔÇÖt you dare call it a Roadster. Johnny Cash had a hit with the song A Boy Named Sue but take cashes advice at the end of the song and paraphrase it and call this fire breathing German street fighter anything but Roadster!

Wow. Now that I have that out of my system I can finish this post. When that is done I will jump over to F1 and convince Michael Schumacher that he really should leave the open seat at Mercedes GP to Nick Heidfeld and take my advice and go do a deal with Peter Sauber after he has lunch with Luca Montezemolo and sign with Sauber-Ferrari.

bikeexif.com: Matchless G80CS
740836123_xZscp-S.jpg


mc24.no: Dumb Way Round : Seattle - Minneapolis

thekneeslider.com: Electric motorcycles ÔÇô forever in the future?

xs650chopper.com: Aluminum Polishing

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

See BMW Motorrad, Angelina may not get ATGATT but she gets Hooligan bikes.

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Hmmmm ...

Re: Naked 'hooligan' bikes ... Don't forget the Italian offerings; Ducati Streetfighter & Aprilia Tuono. What about a hopped up F800R w/ Ohlins suspension bits.

Angelina. Gosh she looks great on a bike. And given she has a lot more at stake, she's braver than me (and/or crazier).
 
Re: Naked 'hooligan' bikes ... Don't forget the Italian offerings; Ducati Streetfighter & Aprilia Tuono. What about a hopped up F800R w/ Ohlins suspension bits.

Angelina. Gosh she looks great on a bike. And given she has a lot more at stake, she's braver than me (and/or crazier).

:wave

DidnÔÇÖt forget them but they donÔÇÖt define the class they are part of it. Some place I have a picture I used a couple of years ago of Angelina gearing up with full ATGATT to ride a BMW ÔÇôIIRC a GS-no where near the impact. She is on a Triumph Speed Triple for a reason. Say Hooligan bike and that is the bike imaged in peoples minds. She rides. If she is going to have perfect makeup, nails and complimentary cloths and be pictured riding a bike and have her picture taken it will be on something with the image of a Speed Triple.

The F800R hopped up would be great bike. But itÔÇÖs not going to play in the hooligan market. ItÔÇÖs a Roadster on steroids named Sue.

When BMW went into the sport bike arena it set the goal of beating the Japanese at their own game. They did not redo the K bike and engine it started with a clean sheet of paper and a set of FIM rules and came up with S1000RR

Der Street-K?ñmpfer

DonÔÇÖt just strip down the S or rework some other model lines R.

Remember the Charles Atlas comic ads about the guy at the beach who gets sand kicked in his face and his girl stolen by the beach hooligan? BMW has been body building. I want them to put on the right swim suite (frame/suspension/minimal bodywork) and head back to the beach and take Angelina back from Triumph and put her on a Street-K?ñmpfer!

BMW is getting knocked kiddingly by some in the press for sandbagging the horsepower rating. What I am suggesting taking that bad boy engine and chain driveline over to a clean sheet of paper and taking on Triumph and all the other Hooligan / Street-fighter bikes and beating them at their own game. Show all the engines power, donÔÇÖt be ashamed of it. Build a specific chassis for bike with a specific look. DonÔÇÖt use the current headlight system. Use some of the new cutting edge headlights that are legal and give the bike a face completely separate from its siblings. TriumphÔÇÖs 2009 Speed Triple was $11.3K I have not seen the 2010 pricing; so give it a price point of no more than $12K.

For the ad campaign think Norton Girls but with Hooligan Girls who actually can ridethats all I can say on this PG website.
:ha
 
I can't see BMW building a naked version anytime soon without one of two things happening:

They would either detune it or price it the same as the sportbike, to prevent it cutting into S1000RR sales.

If they did build it, odds are it wouldn't be available here. Nakeds look great in magazines and lots of us say we'd like to buy them, but in reality they seem to show strong sales in Europe and weak in America; so we don't get what they do.

I am going to stick my neck out and make a prediction:

Two years.

That's about how long the big four run generational development on sportbikes. I don't think BMW is likely to commit to keeping up with that pace, and is more likely to peel the plastic and sell the same bike as a streetfighter to get maximum return on their investment.

It will be interesting to see how they advertise it, too. Norton didn't show a lot of skin, but sure got suggestive.
 

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

WSBK et al.

roadracingworld.com: Yoshimura SuzukiÔÇÖs Peter Doyle talks 2010

MotoGP

motomatters.com: MotoCzysz to enter MotoGP in 2012?

motogp.com: GPE ÔÇô an ambitious project for Moto2


On the Street

From BWM PressClub

Kick-off for the manufacture of the BMW G 650 GS in Manaus.
ÔÇó 16.12.2009

Manaus/Munich. On Monday December 14th 2009, CKD assembly of the BMW G 650 GS officially started at the DAFRA Motos plant in Manaus/Brazil. This means that BMW motorcycles will be produced outside Europe for the first time ever.

The agreement between BMW Motorrad and the local motorcycle producer DAFRA Motos was announced at the motorcycle trade fair ÔÇ£Feira Duas RodasÔÇØ in Sao Paolo in October. DAFRA Motos is now producing the BMW G 650 GS on behalf of BMW Motorrad, exclusively for the Brazilian market.

Hendrik von Kuenheim, General Director BMW Motorrad: ÔÇ£CKD manufacture here in Manaus will help BMW do Brasil significantly increase its sales further. In this way Brazil will move up into the top 10 leading sales markets for BMW Motorrad.
DAFRA is an ideal partner for us. We were impressed with their experience in the motorcycle industry, economic solidity and high degree of professionalism combined with an entrepreneurial approach - this is why we decided to realize the project with this company."

Henning Dornbusch, President of BMW Group Brasil: ÔÇ£The agreement will give Brazilian customers better access to the products of the brand BMW Motorrad. Thanks to our partnership with DAFRA we are able to strengthen our market position since we are offering an attractive product which is tailored to the needs of the Brazilian market and, above all, is affordable. The partnership also increases our transparency and credibility in Brazil.

We expect the BMW G 650 GS to be available to Brazilian customers through the BMW dealership network from February next year. The sales forecast for 2010 is approximately 1,000 units.ÔÇØ

In order to fulfil BMW MotorradÔÇÖs requirements, a new production line was set up at the DAFRA plant. It is conceptually based on the current production line for the G 650 GS at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin. In order to fulfil the necessary quality standards, the team DAFRA Motos team was specially trained by the production and quality specialists at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin.

BMW Motorrad selected DAFRA because the company presented a structured growth plan with 100% Brazilian capital, offering solid investments in Brazil, modern facilities and in particular showing great interest in evolving within the motorcycle industry with BMW.

In a little less than a year since being founded, DAFRA gained a respectable share in the Brazilian motorcycle market as well as demonstrating its respectability and its dedication to customers and the local motorcycle industry.

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There is a lot of open floor space in these pictures.
:lurk

ducatinewstoday.com: Ducati claims Multistrada is for old people

bikeexif.com: Suzuki GT750S Vallelunga
742429056_isHHw-S.jpg


webbikeworld.com: Thor Knee Guards ÔÇô Rview
Knee pads to fit under jeans at a very reasonable price.

rolandsandsdesign.blogspot.com: So you think youre a biker

Personalized license plates are all over the place. We can have backgrounds that tout our college, military service and more. Thn we can add letting to create our own message. What that message is may not always be clear. jsonline.com has the setup for this story about an immaculate H-D with the plate DYNGR and originally came from url=http://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/index.ssf/2009/12/personalized_michigan_license.html[mlive.com[/url].

motociclismo.er: Kymco Superdink (who came up with that name?)

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

Ever go to a bakery and see the perfect cruller in the case, purchase it and take it home to have with your morning coffee?

Triumph is putting out a Special Edition of the Thruxton. In the specs I have read so far no major up date beyond the cosmetic treatment is planned. In photographs and based on comments of those who have seen the bike in person it is well executed continuation of their SE models such as the Speed Triple SE shown at Milan.

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When you sit down to have that perfect looking cruller it just doesnÔÇÖt taste the way you wanted and you are disappointed.
 
Mika,

That Roland Sands link is one of the best things I've seen in a long time!:thumb
Dad used to tell me stories like that about his riding adventures, (before his permanent arm injury forced him to sell the Harley), but it was hard to visualize.
 

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

fim-live.com: From 1959 to 2009 – Husqvarna celebrates 50 years of titles

WSBK et al.

worldsbk.com: Pitt back in WSB with Reitwagen Motorsport

On the Street

University of Minnesota engineering students have developed a motorcycle that can be ridden by paraplegics. The motorcycle is equipped with landing wheels much like the ones on a jet which allows riders to come to a stop as the wheels come down.

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Thanks to Statdawg for the link to my alma mater, I am so proud.


YouTube – Motorcycle for paraplegic rider hits the road

BMW PressClub UK

BMW riding high after success at MotorCycle News Awards
• 30.11.2009
• Press Release
BMW Motorrad UK enjoyed further success at this year’s MotorCycle News (MCN) Awards, as Europe’s largest and most successful motorcycle manufacturer scooped two honours. The K 1300 S was voted the Best Sports Tourer of 2009, while the F 800 GS conquered the Best Trailie category for the second year running.

Link to full press release

743229513_Qz7kR-M.jpg


thekneeslider.com: 1936 BWM Schneekrad

straitstimes.com: Shorter hours for BMW [cage] workers

cyrilhuzeblog.com: Harley CEO asks Washington to remove business barriers.

cyrilhuzblog.com: Club Cage Racers on Discovery Channel

gizmag.com: Ceramic coated exhaust protect panniers and pillions

acem.eu – The topic of the 6th annual ACEM conference will be Which industrial policy for the motorcycle sector?

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TED | Alexis Ohanian – How to make a splash in social media
In a funny, rapid-fire 4 minutes, Alexis Ohanian of Reddit tells the real-life fable of one humpback whale's rise to Web stardom. The lesson of Mister Splashy Pants is a shoo-in classic for meme-makers and marketers in the Facebook age.

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odi.nhtsa.dot.gov: Recall - CAN-AM / ROADSTER SPYDER RT SE5, SM5 Model years - 2010

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

motobastards.com

Bike Cruller

Team Kock Werks

Women who ride and hold records

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Via: Rockt Gagrage
 
Friday, December 18, 2009

WSBK et al.

worldsbk.com: Kawasaki WSRT begins test at Almeria

worldsbk.com: Tickets on sale for SBK race at Miller Motorsports Park

worldsbk.com: Haslam and Suzuki meshing at high pace

crash.net: Pitt thrilled to revive WSBK career

MotoGP

rizla-suzuki-motogp.co.uk: Rizla Suzuki backs both British Grands Prix at Silverstone

e-Racing

egrandprix.com: EMS sign up for TTXGP 2010

Formula 1 and …

formula1.com: Roll with it: Spotlight on Formula 1 wheels

Gehard Berger is being linked with Renault to replace temporary head Bob Bell

On the Street

onewheeldrive.net: Arctic Challenge Part 2 – KTM 990 Adventure vs BMW R1200GS & F800GS

mc24.no: Ivar leaves Norway to go to Italy and visits the Piaggio museum. Check the article out for more great pictures and the story.

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Gilera car engine-based racer made a clean sweep in the period before World War II.

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The link at the end of the article will take you to an archived piece 100 Years of Gileria with more racing pictures and more


Bikes in the Fast Lane: iPhone motorcycle games

motorcycle.com: 2010 Harley Davidson Road Glide vs. 2010 Victory Cross Country

southsiders-mc.blogspot.com: Container City
Container construction has fascinated me for some time.

RedmondSpokesman

xkcd.com

moto*******s.com

Bike Cruller

If you are not the baker sometimes the cruller you eat has been shipped around and around before it hits the table with your morning coffee. I wonder if any of you know who the baker of this German pastry is?

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Holy cats, Mika, what is that above?
It looks like a modernized R90S . . . . *drool*
Whoa!!!!!
 
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