German helmet maker Schuberth GmbH has announced last September that they will return to the U.S. market during 2011. The first helmet that will be available in North America is the award-winning C3, which made its debut in the European market back in 2008. The DOT-approved helmet features fiberglass composite shell, Bluetooth Communication System, and dual-density EPS liner, which means the foam is softer at the top and harder on the sides. Read the full article »

In the duel already being fought by Marc Coma and Cyril Despres, the Catalan took a very slim advantage in the 4th stage of the Personal Dakar Argentina Chile, on a day on which the rally entered Chilean territory. This morning, the Spaniard was the first at the starting line, the most delicate position on the Dakar, because by definition, the competitor opening the way has no tracks to follow. That said, Coma has already shown his expertise in navigation in addition to his skill behind the handlebars. Read the full article »

Those already planning racing schedules and track-day activities can now place orders for YEC’s 2011 Racing Parts to assist the augmentation of their YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 and hone their equipment for competitive use. The deadline for the second of three European ordering rounds for the exceptional kits - produced with care and diligence by Yamaha Motor Engineering - is January 14th to ensure delivery for late April 2011 and the start of many series and events across Europe. Read the full article »

The Japanese manufacturer plans to triple its sales in India in five years, the Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday. Honda currently produces 1.55 million motorcycle a year, but the target is 5 million. The company’s second factory in Rajasthan opens in the second half of 2011, which will lift Honda’s capacity to 2.2 million units by around 2012. Honda's overall investment to increase production in India is estimated at 10 billion rupees, or roughly 18 billion yen, the newspaper said. Read the full article »

MotoMorphic is a small company that builds radical custom motorcycles that are meant to be ridden-motorcycles. Their newest bike, the JaFM looks just mean: enormous tires, huge frame tubes, hand formed bodywork. The solid chassis holds a huge, 7-gallon fuel tank. The heartbeat of MotoMorphic's JaFM is a technologically advanced durable Teutonic engine built by Rotax. Fresh air enters through the hood scoop, which functions as well as the housing for the headlights. Read the full article »

On the long special of the day, Marc Coma was victorious. The Spanish rider did a very efficient job and and picked up his 12th stage victory on the Dakar in San Salvador de Jujuy, ahead of Cyril Despres. The Frenchman holds on to the race lead by a small margin, whereas outsiders Paulo Gonçalves and Olivier Pain did their chances a whole world of good. Coma was not the only beneficiary of the day’s battles. Paulo Gonçalves, third-placed 3’36” behind the stage winner, moves up a rank with his fine performance. Read the full article »

Polaris has released a new UTV for the 2011 model year, the Ranger RZR XP900. The brand new machine features a 875cc DOHC twin-cylinder 4-stroke engine delivering 88hp, electronic fuel injection, automatic transmission. The engineers of the company designed a new suspension with 3-link design, extra-long radius rods and a far forward-connecting trailing arm resulting a lightweight system. The new 3-Link Trailing Arm IRS, paired with premium Fox Shocks, creates a monstrous 14" of terrain-absorbing rear travel. Read the full article »

Harley-Davidson announced a new customization program for 2011. With the H-D1 program Harley is targeting customers that like to stand out from the crowd. The program starts 4th February, but the manufacturer already released a teaser video. Customers will be able to design their custom motorcycles through Harley’s special website, and when they need help, customization experts will be available to help advise on customization ideas. Read the full article »

Italian firm Pirelli and ad company Y & R Milan wants you to know that burnout is mindless and it’s hazardous to your health. The three ads take inspiration from the warning labels of tobacco products. The three slogans include „Smoking can cause circulation problems”, „Smoking is highly addictive, don’t start”, and „Protect chicks: don’t make them breath your smoke”. Although the ads have excellent photography and clever word play, it’s interesting that a tire company encourages the destruction of its own product for no reason other than for you to go replace it with more. Read the full article »

The two title holders, Cyril Despres and Carlos Sainz, both won their second consecutive stage on the Personal Dakar Argentina Chile 2011. In the bike category, the Frenchman boasts a lead of 2’35” over Marc Coma. Already delighted with the performance of Ruben Faria during the afternoon, Cyril Despres learned yesterday evening that in fact he had picked up victory on stage 1, after a one minute penalty was handed out to his team-mate for breaking the speed limit. Read the full article »