Faster and Faster

Valentino Rossi in fifth place on the list of world’s top earning athletes

2009-07-06T03:40:00.004+01:00

Rossi's will earn US$35 million this year. Not too bad for riding a bike around a couple of tracks for a few months in the year... ;-))Via MotoFlashAccording to a recent list compiled by Sports Illustrated, Valentino Rossi’s earnings for the current year stand at around US$35 million, which puts him in fifth place in the list of top earning athletes in the world. According to SI, ‘the average

2009 US MotoGP: Race results from Laguna Seca

2009-07-06T01:56:00.004+01:00

Dani Pedrosa took a rather unexpected victory at Laguna Seca...2009 US MotoGP: Race results from Laguna Seca1. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 44min 1.580 sec2. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 44min 1.924 sec3. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 44min 3.506 sec4. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 44min 14.012 sec5. Nicky Hayden Ducati Marlboro Team 44min 23.243 sec6. Toni Elias San Carlo Honda

MotoGP in pictures...

2009-07-05T07:59:00.006+01:00

As we wait for the USGP to begin in the next few hours, here are some pics from various other races in the 2009 MotoGP season. And as for who's going to win at Laguna, we are of course rooting for Rossi...!

1966 Batcycle with sidecar sold on eBay for US$29,500

2009-07-04T11:09:00.006+01:00

This 1966 Batcycle was recently sold on eBay for $29,500!Via AutoblogFor US$29,500 you can buy a brand-new Ducati 1198S with enough money still left over for new helmet, leathers and enough fuel for a few months at least. Then again, if you wanted something more… individualistic (?), you could have spent that money on eBay getting yourself a classic Batcycle with sidecar. Yes indeed, the same

NHTSA may make ABS mandatory for bikes in the US

2009-07-04T10:41:00.002+01:00

Here's an MCN comparison test between an ABS-equipped Fireblade vs a non-ABS 'Blade. Don't know about you, we're certainly convinced ABS works!The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US is now considering the viability of making it mandatory for all new motorcycles sold in the US to be fitted with anti-lock brakes (ABS). An insurance institute study in North America

Rever Corsa, Christian Audigier team up to build the gaudiest ever Ducati Monster 1100

2009-07-03T17:15:00.004+01:00

The Rever Corsa-Christian Audigier Monster 1100 is priced at US$55,000Via AutoblogRever Corsa, in collaboration with fashion designer Christian Audigier, have prepared what’s possibly the gaudiest, flashiest Ducati Monster 1100 you’ll ever see. Apart from the airbrushed tigers and gold graphics (‘Hand laid, engine turned gold leaf and exclusive Christian Audigier artwork, according to Rever), the

Dolmette: The 24-cylinder chainsaw-powered motorcycle

2009-07-03T14:44:00.005+01:00

A motorcycle that's powered by 24 chainsaw engines? Er... why not!!!We’ve seen various bikes with far-out exotic engines – V4s, V6s, V8s, aircraft radials and what have you. But for sheer outrageousness, the Dolmette you see here might be hard to beat. The bike, which was actually made way back in 2004, is fitted with all of 24 two-stroke Dolmar chainsaw engines, which have been combined in

2010 Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden Edition unveiled at Laguna

2009-07-03T08:16:00.005+01:00

The very cool Ducati 848 Nicky Hayden EditionVia Superbike Planet, Motorcycle USADucati has announced the 848 Nicky Hayden Edition, which was unveiled yesterday at the Laguna Seca circuit. The bike, which will only be available in the US, comes with a special paintjob, Nicky Hayden’s autograph on the gas tank and a sticker price of $14,495.The Ducati 848 weighs 168kg and packs 134 horsepower and

Rossi, Rainey, Lawson and Roberts go Kart racing at Laguna

2009-07-03T03:57:00.006+01:00

What a pity that this wasn't a real 'race' but just a couple of exhibition laps...Valentino Rossi, Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and Kenny Roberts went Kart racing yesterday, at the 3.6km Laguna Seca circuit in the US. Er... well, actually it wasn’t a 'race' since there was no winner (Rossi did cross the finish line first, but the other three weren't really 'racing' him, so we don't know if that

Mat Mladin, Roaring Toyz to unveil custom GSX-R1000 at Laguna Seca

2009-07-02T07:34:00.004+01:00

The custom GSX-R1000 built by Roaring Toyz, for Mat MladinVia Roadracing WorldSix-time AMA Superbike champion, Mat Mladin, and Robert Fisher of Roaring Toyz will unveil their custom 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 at Laguna Seca on the 4th of July this year. The bike was commissioned by Mat to celebrate the launch of his new company, Bike Gear Warehouse.After its debut during this weekend’s race, the GSX-R

T3 Motion unveils CT3 electric trike

2009-07-02T05:25:00.003+01:00

The CT3 battery-powered trikeVia AutoblogGreenThe California, US-based T3 Motion Inc. have unveiled their latest electric vehicle, the CT3 trike, which is based on the company’s own CT Micro Car. According to T3 Motion, the CT3 three-wheeler ‘reflects the company’s vision for the future of personal commuter and professional fleet transportation.’‘The CT3 represents our latest vision for electric

Steve Twist's Norton Commando Transformer

2009-07-01T03:49:00.004+01:00

Cars and bikes that suddenly transform into killer robots seem to be all the rage these days. So here's a geriatric Norton Commando Transformer that does things its own way...Via MCN

2009 Dutch TT: Race results from Assen

2009-06-28T18:31:00.008+01:00

Valentino Rossi won the Dutch TT at Assen, with Lorenzo finishing in second place and Stoner in third. This was Rossi's 100th Grand Prix victory!Race results from the 2009 Dutch TT at Assen:1. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 42min 14.611 sec2. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 42min 19.979 sec3. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 42min 37.724 sec4. Colin Edwards Monster Yamaha Tech 3 42min 43.725

Michael Jackson dies of cardiac arrest

2009-06-26T02:57:00.003+01:00

And nothin' gonna stop me, ain't no stop and go. I'm speedin' on the midway, I gotta really burn this road. (He say) pull over boy and get your ticket right...[Speed Demon, Michael Jackson]Pop music king of the 1980s, Michael Jackson passed away yesterday after suffering a heart attack. He was 50 years old.Jackson, who was already in a coma at the time of being taken to a hospital in Los Angeles,

FIM announces new race series for electric motorcycles

2009-06-25T09:44:00.004+01:00

In another few years, Valentino Rossi may be working as a test and development riders for lithium-ion battery-powered racebikes like this one...!Following the successful TTXGP held on the Isle of Man on June 12 this year, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has decided to create an FIM Series for electric bikes in 2010. This new FIM Series will be run inside the Road Racing Grand

Suzuki launch RMX450Z Enduro racer aimed at 2010 Dakar Rally

2009-06-25T09:04:00.004+01:00

KTM's loss is Suzuki's gain? We'll find out next year...With KTM having been pushed out of the Dakar Rally, it seems Suzuki have now set their sights on winning the legendary desert race in 2010. The company has announced the launch of its new enduro racer, the all-new RMX450Z, which is based on the RM-Z450 motocross machine. The RMX450Z features the same fuel-injected, liquid-cooled,

2010 Honda VFR1200 revealed!

2009-06-24T16:58:00.008+01:00

Is this really the all-new V4-engined 2010 Honda VFR1200?Pic: MCN...and here are more pics of the VFR1200 from LeftLaneNewsThe bike you see here is, according to MCN, the all-new V4-powered Honda VFR1200 that will go on sale next year. The bike is based on the V4 concept that was shown a few months ago and might feature bits like selectable cylinder deactivation, ride-by-wire throttle and brakes,

Gooichi 749: Longer, lower, hotter…

2009-06-20T03:13:00.005+01:00

The Gooichi 749 gets down low...!Pics: DucCutters, Gooichi MotorsportsFrom Gooichi Motorsports / DucCutters, here’s a modded 2003 Ducati 749. ‘I can never leave anything stock, and one thing led to another. I wanted to do something different with the bike, something that would make Ducati purists cringe,’ says the Gooichi 749’s owner. So, of course, the bike was lowered, fitted with a stretched

Ferrari vs Ducati showdown at ‘Ducs Fly South’ trackday…

2009-06-20T03:10:00.004+01:00

Ferrari vs Ducati? Hmmm... bring it on then!!!Ducati North America have announced the first annual ‘Ducs Fly South’ trackday, which will be held on the 13th of July this year, at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The event is open to street riders of all levels and available to riders on any make of motorcycle.Among other things, Larry Pegram, factory Ducati AMA Superbike rider, will be there for a Q&

Mitsuyoshi Kohama talks about future Honda motorcycles

2009-06-19T13:47:00.005+01:00

Honda's chief designer, Mitsuyoshi Kohama. Among others, he's worked on the NS400R, VFR750F, NR750 and CBR900RR. He'll also be involved with the design of future Honda V4sHonda are all set to launch a brand-new V4-engined motorcycle in 2010. Shigeru Takagi, President and MD of Honda Motor Europe has confirmed that the company will indeed introduce the new machine – which would be based on Honda’s

Riding impression: Derbi Mulhacén Café 659 Angel Nieto LE

2009-06-17T16:53:00.004+01:00

The Derbi Mulhacén Café 659 Angel Nieto LE isn't really all that fast, but it certainly looks way cooler than, say, a GSX-R600...Via MotociclismoDerbi have launched the Mulhacén Café 659 Angel Nieto Limited Edition, only 50 units of which will be built. The bike is Derbi’s tribute to Spanish roadracing star Angel Nieto, who won all of 13 world championships between 1969 and 1986. We think the

Shocker: Patmont Motor Werks show radical new off-road bike

2009-06-17T16:43:00.006+01:00

Shocker: A radical new battery-powered off-roader from PMWVia AutoblogGreenPatmont Motor Werks (PMW) has unveiled a radical new off-road motorcycle prototype, which is fitted with the company’s patented Cantilevered Independent Dynamic Linkless Indispension (CDLI, whew!!) suspension system. This battery-powered electric bike – named 'Shocker' – has been designed to function as a ‘tri-sport’

KTM to continue development work on two-stroke engines

2009-06-17T16:19:00.004+01:00

While two-strokes will gradually be pushed out of GP racing, KTM say they will continue to work on quieter, more powerful and less polluting two-stroke engines...With the creation of the ‘Moto2’ class in Grand Prix racing, two-stroke 250s will be replaced with 600cc four-strokes next year. This is not such a good move for smaller European manufacturers – two-stroke specialists like Aprilia, Derbi

James Toseland to return to WSBK in 2010, with Alstare Suzuki

2009-06-17T15:33:00.003+01:00

James Toseland, who's been less that successful in MotoGP in 2008 and 2009, will go back to World Superbikes next year, perhaps with Alstare Suzuki. Toseland won the world superbikes championship in 2007, with Honda, and in 2004, with DucatiAccording to a report on Italian website MotoSprint, British rider James Toseland will be leaving MotoGP at the end of this year, moving back to World

Scorpion Performance: The supercharged, 90bhp Cagiva Mito

2009-06-15T08:46:00.005+01:00

With its 200cc two-stroke supercharged engine, which makes 90 horsepower, the Scorpion Performance is the Cagiva Mito from hell...Via MotoblogSimone Barbagallo has given quite a makeover to the stylish little Cagiva Mito. It has taken four years of hard work and it has cost him more than US$55,000 (not including the cost of the original bike) to build his bike – which he’s named Scorpion