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Hmmm…this is actually a cool looking machine for being green.

SYNOPSIS: The Crosscage concept bike is a fuel cell motorcycle designed to achieve optimum performance using Intelligent Energy’s air-cooled fuel cell system. Photo credit: Bill Moore, EV World.Com.
Green transportation is coming whether we think its necessary or not.  Let’s face it, there is a mrket for these machines if they are viable for mass production.  A Suzuki partnership does give it hope, unlike these small private ventures that simply ‘have a dream’.

Some quick questions I have:

• What is the top speed (highway worthy or city commuter only)?
• What is the range?
• What is the distance per dollar travelled?
• Where are the fuel stations?
• Will it use the Suzuki deaker network?
• Where is the wind protection?
• Can I get neon
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I received this press release in my email the other day and thought it was pretty good stuff.  It’s a free online video narrative of the career Troy Bayliss as a roadracer.  There is probably an hour’s worth of video (and more).  Check it out if you’re a Bayliss fan.
Kapital Moto TV would like to announce our partnership with Amazon Entertainment, for the first time making available online the full length Troy Bayliss documentary, Troy’s Story .

Troy’s Story is the definitive exposé about this Australian and Ducati superbike hero. Covering Troy’s early racing history, his first World Superbike championship and battles with Colin Edwards, right up to his entry into MotoGP, this inspirational 99 minute documentary is now available online

I don’t mean due to ill-handling or from being overweight (that’s a joke to all the Buell loyal), I mean on purpose.  It seems that Burll is expanding into a new market - off-road “closed course competition”.  I have to wonder why.  Is it trying to capitalize on the fact that there is no mainstream American designed and manufactured dirt bike?  Will the be as odd looking (unique for those Buell loyal) as their street bikes?

Back in 1985, I was the pround owner of an overstocked new 1984 Yamaha IT490.  It was about $2000 and it was arguably the best al around enduro that the Japanese produced (Husky’s were still bad-ass back then).  That leads me to another question:  PRICE.  Buell

I will let an already well written article from www.raptorsandrockets.com tell the story as I need to find a towel as I’m drooling too much.
2008 World Superbike dreams 1-Aprilia V4 999 Prototype 0
The Aprilia V4 project utilizes a brand new V4 999cc engine destined both for world superbike and the road. The V4 will be Aprilia’s first ever four cylinder motorcycle. Already now at the very beginning of the project Aprilia stipulates a max power of more than 210hp from the superbike version. Aprilia surprised everyone when it last threw itself into World Superbike racing with the RSV Mille by being competitive and winning races in the first year. The new V4 project is a different ballgame and the engine

As I was perusing the comments from the two Harley Davidson articles I posted here and here, the last one from “T. Strain” was so well written that it deserved some attention…so here it is:
I say congradulations to the HD employees on strike. Because of them complaining about a small increase in health benefits, countless other people are being laid off at other companies that make products for Harley. I don’t know if anyone knows, but Harley does not make their motorcycles by themselves completely. A majority of the aluminum engine components are made by several aluminum factories in the US. Due to the strike, Harley has stopped ordering these parts. At some plants, (namely the one I work

…ummm…errr…its tomorrow really, but its tonight.  Damnit - 12:01AM on 2Feb2007.  Now its settled.

I am sorry, but I have no sympathy here.  A 4% wage increase GUARANTEED without some sort of performance evaluation is a golden parachute as far as I am concerned for an employee of a big company.  This is the average increase for us white collar folks on non-promotion years given a good review.

As far as benefits are concerned, I am amused to read that the major sticking point was that they had to convert to the ’salaried’ employees health car plan.  Two things scream short-sightedness:

1. The fact that the increase in the 401k matching contribution seemed to have been ignored (granted, no amounts are given below for
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I have a soft spot for Italian motorcycles (and shotguns) ever since I bought my first Aprilia.  On the one hand you have the Aprilia brand which is struggling to say the least.  Struggling to keep dealers open and sell bikes and struggling to support us owners with much needed OE parts.

On the flipside, Ducati NA seems to be in growth mode.  Not just a couple of years ago, the company was being kicked around by different owners and having its own financial troubles.  Maybe that tide has turned. 

What is even better is their new product line.  The future 1098 and Super ‘tard and the current Monster 1000 have been drawing a lot of interest in the brand.  I am a

It depends on you view of statistics really.  There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.  I never trust them without peeling back the layers that surround the data.  This is a perfect example of being able to make an article title to fit the need of the author, given the same data.

Check it out.  As I was perusing the internet looking at motorcycle industry news, I stumbled upon an article stating that helmet usage was on the increase. 

NOTE:  I am purposely leaving out the link because they are correct in their conclusion, I just have a different point.

It cited NHTSA’s National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) as the source for their conclusion.  I like the survey method that NOPUS uses

Very cool.  These are the words of the President of Ducati Federico Minoli.  He is using this form of media for press releases, announcements, etc.  In my opinion, its a great tool for what he is trying to do.  By keeing the information’s original source at a Ducati website, it will bring people there all the time to check for updates.  Oh yeah, and I like blogs too!

Even though the two examples below are days right after each other, its hard to imagine a daily posting.  Regardless, a weekly post on the company news will be very useful, especially for a company on the rebound and with all new product lines.  I think its a smart move, but time will

It looks like the Ducati 1098 Suoerbike will have a little brother “if you want it”.  The 848 has been confirmed to replace te 749 series of motorcycle.  It will be the same bike as the 1098 with a smaller engine.  It was only a matter of time.  Not much detailed information is available at the moment, but we can hope for the track guys at least that the parts will be interchangeable between the two as in the past. 

From motorcyclenews.com:
November 30 2006

Ducati President Federico Minoli has today confirmed Ducati will offer an 848cc version of the stunning 1098 – if you want it. 

The announcement was made on Desmoblog, which is written personally by Minoli, who also showed three