The Japanese manufacturer has released a single official illustration of the new GSR 750, a stylish naked middleweight bike that will make its debut in just three weeks. The new model will use a slightly detuned version of the company’s GSX-R 750’s engine. Besides the detuned engine, the bike will miss out the GSX-R 750’s radial-mount brake calipers, and most of the chassis will probably be pared back to meet lower price point. The bodywork and tank design is largely angular, providing the bike an agressive image. Read the full article »

Electric racecar faced electric superbike for the very first time as Citroën’s striking Survolt concept and an Agni Z2 went head-to-head at Thruxton race circuit. In the capable hands of two professional female racers – Vanina Ickx and Jenny Tinmouth – car and bike battled it out to test speed, agility and performance in the all-electric shoot-out of four wheels against two. Piloting Survolt was Vanina Ickx – Le Mans Series and Touring Car racing driver and daughter of Formula One driver, Jacky Ickx. Riding the Agni Z2 was Jenny Tinmouth, the fastest woman around the Isle of Man TT course and championship leader in the 2010 TTXGP. Read the full article »

Daimler AG has released the first official photos and technical details of the Smart electric scooter which will be unveiled at the 2010 Paris Auto Show next week. The Smart escooter is addressing customers living in big cities who are looking for a practical, unconventional way of transport. For those who might be concerned about safety issues, the Smart escooter is offered with pioneering features like an airbag, ABS and Blind Spot Assist. Read the full article »

Kawasaki’s new Z750R has a lot of good things going for it. The „R” version has some design tweaks, new fully adjustable forks and a revised rear shock. But you don’t need to know any of this to start your $/€, all you need is the official video. Kawasaki says of the bike “The Z750R is an impressive package. It has been designed to take the handling, braking and overall specification of the hugely popular Z750 to a totally new level, justifying the exclusive R status of our new mid-weight naked contender for the coming year,” Read the full article »

Although Ducati quits SBK at the end of the season, and this will presumably be the end of Xerox title sponsorship of a factory race team, the american company, whose name is synonymous with photocopying, would like to capitalize on this relationship while it can. The result is a semi-engaging ad, in which Xerox shows that Ducati have chosen Xerox for their business needs. In addition to this ad, Xerox also paid to promote the company it sponsors in this „case study” webisode. Hit the jump for the second video. Read the full article »

Wisconsin is giving Harley-Davidson $25 million in tax credits to preserve jobs at its factories in the state. The deal saves about 1000 blue-collar jobs in the Milwaukee area and Tomahawk. Unions at the two plants voted last week to approve a seven-year contract that will freeze wages, result in a loss of 200 to 350 permanent jobs and allow the company to hire casual workers. These workers will be paid about half what full time workers make. Governor Jim Doyle and Harley-Davidson President and CEO Keith Wandell issued a joint statement Friday. Read the full article »

The Varadero has long been a favourite for riders of all abilities since its launch in 2001. With the Varadero offering more generous proportions than many other 125cc machines, the bike became soon a favourite with urban riders, commuters and learners bike. The 15hp-strong bike weighs just 154kg and has a top speed of 108 km/h. The little Honda will get a slight visual tweak for the 2011 model year, with the addition of what’s described as a „sporty new colour”, the Pearl Sienna Red. We look forward to more details. Read the full article »

This Honda RS125-powered streamliner has set a new speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats by achieving a two-way average speed of 146mph. 27-year-old Scott Kolb broke a 27 years old world record. The Honda RS125 is a custom framed bike that features radically altered geometry and a 98 inches wheelbase. Scott had to modify the bike with some additional features. He stretched the bike for more 40 inches, and replaced the radiator with a streamlined fairing. Read the full article »

MV Agusta has finally released the first photos about its new middleweight superbike. MV says of the new F3: „After years of continuous design and development along with ongoing research to create the most beautiful and technologically advanced 600cc bike of the world, the first pictures of the “real” MV AGUSTA F3 are revealed.” Earlier rumours suggested the bike will feature a 675cc engine but the Italians decided to build a new technologically more advanced engine. Read the full article »

Oklahoma riders have to start paying a new $3 fee that helps fund motorcycle safety and education training for both experienced and unexperienced drivers. The fee will be added to existing registration fees, and affects new motorcycles and their renewals. Despite the hit to the wallet, the Daily Oklahoman says motorcyclists of the state aren’t complaining. Tony Maxey, the owner of Maxey’s Cycles in Oklahoma City said, “you get people who have never ridden before, have some extra money and want to spend it on a bike. They want the fastest bike they can get. I always ask them about their level of experience first. But when it comes down to it, as a dealer, I sell it to them.” Read the full article »