Editors of French motorcycle magazine Motosblog were visiting Yamaha when they spotted something new. The company let them take a photo of the tank emblem. According to the picture, the Japanese manufacturer will reveal soon an upgraded version of its popular naked bike FZ8. They say the exhaust system of the bike comes from Laser. In addition to that, they spotted Öhlins suspension parts but not much else could be seen different. No word on when the FZ8R will make its debut. Read the full article »

Yamaha has reported its 2010 business results last week, and despite announcing a small profit, investors lost faith in the company. Yamaha Motor share price plunged 10.55% to 1,525 yesterday at the Tokyo stock exhange. For 2011, the company is expecting a rise of 9.3% in net profit to 20 billion yen and a 3.3% rise in operating profit to 53 billion yen, but investors were still disappointed. Although sales have been strong in Asia, weak sales numbers in the US and Europe have caused Yamaha’s concern. Read the full article »

BMW Motorrad USA has announced pricing for new K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL models. The K 1600 GT will have a base price (MSRP) of $20,900, while the K 1600 GTL will have a base MSRP of $23,200. Both new models will be available for purchase through authorized BMW Motorrad USA dealers this Spring. The prices are surprisingly low, considering the old K 1200 LT retailed for $21,520, and the Japanese tourer Honda Goldwing carries a price tag of $22,899. Read the full article »

The Austrian company is probably not satisfied with RC8 R’s sales results, so they slashed the bike’s MSRP. With its new $16,499 price tag, the R version is now cheaper than the standard RC8. The bike, which was updated last year, features the 1198cc V2 engine producing 175hp and 127 Nm of torque. The RC8 R benefits from a dual spark plug ignition setup, revised throttle body, new ECU, new crankshaft and flywheel, and new suspension specifications. Read the full article »

MA Product design students at the Birmingham Institute of Art & Design have produced a collection of prototype accessories. Students have drawn inspiration from the Triumph Bonneville T100. The collection of 18 alternative lifestyle „accessories”were judged by a team from Triumph. Following their deliberations the judges chose British student, Nick Orme’s, ‘Corkscrew’, incorporating a brake lever assembly, as the winning prototype design awarding him a placement at Triumph. Read the full article »

German company Horex announced last year that they have plans to produce a brand new, VR6 Roadster which uses two 1218cc triple overhead camshaft engine with two offset rows of three cylinder at a 15 degree angle. But rumours suggest that the narrow-angle engine is just a start – the original patents for the Horex, filed several years ago, include a second machine using an even bigger, W8 engine. Read the full article »

Spanish custom bike builder Radical Ducati has created a special bike to celebrate the firm’s 10th year anniversary. The guys at Radical Ducati took the frame and engine of the Ducati Superbike 1098. The bike features modified original airbox, shortened air funnels, WOLFMAN exhaust system, V-Rod front light, carbon fiber mudguard, Rizoma belt covers, mirrors and rear brake lever, RAD alluminium rear subframe with 9 Amp battery support and Mika hand made footrest. Read the full article »

German fashion house Hugo Boss has teamed up with Portuguese helmet manufacturer Nexx to present the BOSS helmet collection. The helmets will be available from March in five colors: Vintage White, Blue Eclipse, Dark Grey, Bitter Chocolate, and Black Satin. Using the best materials and a high standard of craftsmanship, the BOSS Black Menswear collection was developed to meet the genuine lifestyle of urban men who seek the perfect unison between safety, function and contemporary design. The Hugo Boss helmets carry a price tag of €299. Read the full article »

The Vyrus 986 M2 Factory is a new bikethat the Italian based company presented at the Motor Bike Expo, an interpretation of a Moto2 machine according to Vyrus. 135 kg for 136 hp, lightness and rideability, power and control, the ingredients of the most innovative motorcycle ever produced. Many are technological solutions that give it it’s very own special character; hydraulic steering, upside down “Omega” frame, double link front and rear suspension, monocoque structural bodywork, or low pressure aerodynamic cooling. Read the full article »

Zero Motorcycles has announced its 2011 model line-up and strategy to dominate the zero-emission motorcycle market. The S and DS models were completely redesigned, as well as changing the look of all models. Also important, that the owners of the Zero bikes can take advantage of J1772 public charging stations using an optional accessory. All of the motorcycles will be shipped in March 2011. Prices of the bikes are: S: $9,995; DS: $10,495; MX: $9,495; X: $7,995; Read the full article »