The American arm of BMW announced a 4% sales growth for 2010. The Bavarian manufacturer sold 98 000 bikes globally in 2010 compared to the 87 000 units it sold in 2009, that’s a 12% increase. The best selling bike of the marque was the R1200 GS (18 700 units), and was followed by the R1200 GS Adventure ( 11 600 units), the R1200 RT (11 100 units), and the S1000 RR supersport machine (10 200 units). More interestingly, the S1000 RR outsold the R1200 GS in the US. Read the full article »

Kawasaki UK announced today the latest items of the 2011 Kawasaki genuine accessory sports clothing range. The new items will be available from any Kawasaki road bike dealer and covers both practical and fashionable elements. “Kawasaki dealers understand that our brand creates real enthusiasm and loyalty. Their relationship is with a consumer that demands the very best in terms of not just their motorcycle but also the clothing to go with it,” – said Tim Holden, Clothing and Accessory coordinator. Read the full article »

The Japanese manufacturer took the wraps off its GW250 naked bike at the 2010 CIMA exhibition in China. The motorcycle is already available on the Chinese and Brazilian market, but new rumours suggest that Suzuki will introduce the cheap bike in Europe. The GW 250 is practically the production version of the mini B-King and features a 250cc parallel twin DOHC engine that delivers 26 hp at 8,000 rpm and 24 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm. Read the full article »

Mission Motors has finally taken the wraps off its Mission R electric race bike last month. The bike features a 14.4 kWh battery pack and a 3-phace AC induction motor that makes 100 kW and 115 pound feet of torque from 0 to 6500 rpm. The Mission R is capable of reaching a top speed of 160 mph and has regenative braking. Taking lessons learned from the Misison One, Mission Motors has built the Mission R from the ground-up, and tapped some well known names to help the company make this striking motorcycle. Read the full article »

Kawasaki released the new version of its GSX-R 750 motorcycle back in last autumn. The new naked bike, just like the GSX-R600, features shorter wheelbase, lighter frame, swingarm, front forks, wheels, brakes, rear suspension, bodywork and exhaust system. Suzuki's Derek Schoeberle walks us through the changes to the 2011 Suzuki GSX-R 750, and how the Japanese company's 750cc track weapon lost 17 lbs over the 2010 model. Read the full article »

Vectrix LLC starts off the New Year with the official launch of its clean energy urban commuting model, the VX-2. The all-new Vectrix VX-2 scooter is designed to be the ideal choice for shorter trips -- from across town to across campus. The all electric VX-2 is a smaller and slimmer version of our VX-1 bike and is the perfect machine for lower-speed urban, neighborhood, and small-town trips. The VX-2 is the electric equivalent of a 50cc internal combustion engine scooter. Read the full article »

The BMW Motorrad Italia Team, which will take part in two championships in 2011 with four riders, has been presented at the Autodromo di Monza. Britain's James Toseland (two-times WSBK champion) and last year's Superstock 1000 FIM Cup winner Italy's Ayrton Badovini will be taking part in the FIM Superbike World Championship, while the team run by Serafino Foti will also continue in Superstock 1000 with Italian Lorenzo Zanetti and last-minute addition, Frenchman Sylvain Barrier. Read the full article »

Bonham’s is getting ready for their first European auction of 2011, which will take place at the Grand Palais, Paris on February 5, 2011. One of the items is a very rear motorcycle. The Megola is powered by a 640cc five-cylinder engine built into the front wheel. As you can see on the picture, the motor rotates along with the wheel. There was no clutch or gearbox, though the torquey engine easily made light of its lack of a variable transmission and was capable of propelling the machine to a top speed of around 70mph. Read the full article »

The latest incarnation of an iconic team has returned to the World Superbike championship following today's launch of the new Castrol Honda team, with the global lubricants brand announcing title sponsorship of Honda's superbike effort for the upcoming 2011 title race. The new team will feature riders Jonathan Rea and Ruben Xaus campaigning Honda's CBR1000RR Fireblade, with the squad being run by the Netherlands-based Ten Kate Racing outfit, who have led Honda's World Superbike effort since 2004. Read the full article »

Daniele "Titus" Sabatini, owner, project leader and designer of Nembo Motociclette, presents his new engine, the "Super 32 rovescio" made to equip the naked motorcycles he will build in small series on request for road/track use. The engine "Super 32 rovescio" contains in the name its main features: three-cylinder 2000 cc (122.05 cubic inches) inverted or if we like, "upside down ". Read the full article »