In what can only be considered good news for motorcyclists, federal officials have reported that motorcycle fatalities saw their first drop since 1998, marking the end of an 11-year, 175-percent increase. Among all types of motorists, motorcyclists had the second-largest reduction in fatalities, behind large-truck occupants, and the largest drop in alcohol-impaired fatalities – also a 16 percent reduction. "The death of any motorcyclist is one too many, so this news that fatalities are down is encouraging," said Ed Moreland, AMA senior vice president for government relations. Read the full article »

Erik Buell Racing continues to release information about its new 1190RS street bike. This new video, which is the first in a multiple-part series, gives us only a quick glimpse of the V-Twin superbike. Although details are scare, we do know that the bike is based on the 1190RR race bike, which was originally based in-turn off the now defunct Buell Barracuda 2. Former owner of Buell Harley-Davidson closed down Buell before the Barracuda 2 could make it into production. We’re expecting more videos to come. Read the full article »

Kawasaki has unveiled the company’s first 2011 road model, the Z750 R. The latest naked bike from Kawasaki adds a new level of handling and braking sophistication to the class and is sure to win favour with the growing customer base for versatile, mid-weight machines that handle and stop as well as they look. With new 41mm highly adjustable front forks, matched by a an aluminium swinging arm and remote piggy-back rear shock, the handling package represented by the Z 750 R will reward riders looking for true Supersport handling from a naked motorcycle. Read the full article »

Along with the 2011 Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200, Piaggio Group unveiled another bike, the 2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. The model pays homage to the classic V7 Sport race bike of the ’70s. The V7 Clubman Racer was initially announced at EICMA show as a 2010 production model but Moto Guzzi’s parent company later said it was a mistake. Well, there’s no mistake this time, the bike enters production as a limited edition model. Read the full article »

To celebrate the opening of its new flagship store in Milan, the Italian firm introduced a larger version of its supermoto and released some information about the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. The newest member of the brand’s supermoto line features a 1200cc 90-degree V-Twin engine which delivers 130hp at 8700 rpm and 85 ft-lb of torque at 7200 rpm. Aprilia says these numbers are at the top of its class. The new Dorsoduro uses similar chassis as its smaller brother but has a more sophisticated, fully adjustable rear suspension. Read the full article »

Wisconsin union workers at Harley yesterday approved a seven-year labor contract that keeps work at the Tomahawk and Menomonee Falls plants, although at a price. The new contract will establish a two-tier workforce similar to what the company has at its plants in the York, Penn. The deal preserves some full-time, union jobs, but transitions some part-time, „casual” positions. “It doesn’t feel good now, but we’re happy we kept jobs in Milwaukee,” told Mike Masik, president of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-209, the Milwaukee Small Business Times. Read the full article »

The Japanese manufacturer decided to skip the Milan show last year due to economic crisis, but they won’t miss this year’s EICMA. The press office of Honda doesn’t say a word but rumours suggest Honda will be back stronger than ever. It seems they will be presenting eight new models at the 2010 show. They bring their latest motorcycle technology and new models, while at the INTERMOT show in Cologne (October 6-10) they will be presenting a range of new colors for their top selling models. Read the full article »

The Indian manufacturer revealed its plans to enter the indian motorcycle market last month, and here’s a teaser video showing one of the company’s models in Italy. Mahindra, an established scooter, 4x4 and tractor manufacturer is moving into a competitive market, dominated primilarly by Japanese manufacturer Honda. “We’re looking to become a credible player in the two-wheeler space in India over the next few years,” said Anoop Mathur, the head of Mahindra’s motorcycle arm. Read the full article »

Union employees at Harley-Davidson Inc. will vote today on labor contracts that could determine the fate of their jobs and Harley’s production facilities in Wisconsin. The seven-year contract could cut hundreds of full-time employees. Harley says it needs to cut over $50 million dollars in labor costs at its plants in Menomonee Falls and Tomahawk. If the Steelworkers union does ot approve the new contract, Harley says it will close the two Wisconsin plants and move the production out-of-state where it is cheaper. Read the full article »

Italian manufacturer MV Agusta has just added a „virtual” museum to its website. The site, available under adress http://www.mvagusta.it/it/moto-storiche/moto-da-strada, includes pictures and specifications for all of its most historic road motorcycles from the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s beginning with the first 98cc “Turismo” in 1945 before chronicling and also chronicles the racing MVs which delivered 37 world championships between 1952 and 1976 in the hands of the likes of Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read. Read the full article »