2012 Honda RC213V Debuts in Malaysia

While Ducati Corse is busy playing hide-the-Desmosedici at Sepang, HRC is all business in Malaysia this week, and has debuted its 2012 Honda RC213V MotoGP-contender. Honda isn’t saying too much about the RC213V, simply stating that the race bike is all new, but is also a continuation of the company’s design with the 800cc Honda RC212V. Testing the Honda RC213V over the course of last season, reigning-World Champion Casey rode the new 1,000cc machine three times in 2011, while teammate Dani Pedrosa swung a leg over the RC213V twice (missing one test because of injury).

No, This is the “90%” New Ducati Desmosedici GP12

You may have been misled by some eager journalists today and yesterday, if you saw a Ducati Corse livery-clad Ducati Desmosedici GP12 that some sites were passing off as the first shots of the “90% new” GP12. With the alleged new GP12 looking surprisingly similar to the aluminum-framed “GP0″ that was tested at Valencia, Valentino Rossi’s mechanic has now Alex Briggs confirmed that the photos taken were not of the all new “GP12 Phoenix” that the factory team will race this season. While the Ducati lords can taketh away, they can also giveth, and Valentino Rossi himself has posted the first photo of the factory Desmosedici GP12, and the bike is clearly different.

Zero Motorcycles Commences 2012 Model Line Production

Zero Motorcycles has announced the full-commencement of production for its 2012 model line, which is expected to hit dealers in February & March of this year. First off the line was the 2012 Zero DS back in December, though the electric motorcycle company has recently started building the Zero S, Zero XU, Zero X, and Zero MX at its Scotts Valley facility as well. A story we broke back in November, Zero Motorcycles debuted its important 2012 electric motorcycle line up at the 2011 EICMA show in Milan, with the 2012 range being a substantial improvement upon the company’s previous offerings.

The Dainese D-Air Racing Airbag Suit Comes to America

Getting a look at Dainese & AGV’s 2012 collection, Asphalt & Rubber was down in Orange County earlier this week to see the highly anticipated Dainese D-Air Racing leather suit, which has a four liter airbag system that helps reduce the risk of injury during a motorcycle crash. Dainese has been working on the D-Air Racing system for 10 years now, and after soft-launching the airbag suit in Europe, the Italian company is ready to bring the game-changing technology to American soil.

I Love the Nightlife. I’ve Come to Boogie.

Us Danes, we’re a strange breed. From the culture that taught you how to rape and pillage, Scandinavia is making yet another contribution to the motorcycling world with this latest video. Featuring Danish Supermoto Champion Andreas Mikkelsen, we get a RoToR camera-esque perspective (this rig is actually home made) on the Dane’s practice session at the Als Supermotard Club in Denmark. It’s videos like this that are slowly eroding my will-power to resist getting into supermotard riding. Also, I don’t know who was in charge of the music selection on this thing, but my hat is off to him/her. I love the nightlife. I’ve come to boogie.

Confirmed: KTM 350 Duke in 2013 – Moto3 Inspired 350cc Sport Bike in 2014

Our friends over at IndianCarsBikes.in were in attendance at the KTM 200 Duke launch in India this week, as the Austrian brand launched its somewhat bigger-displacement version of the popular KTM Duke 125. During the press event, KTM talked about the future of the mini-Duke line and its product roadmap for the emerging country, as well as abroad. With the Austrian brand confirming/clarifying that KTM would release a KTM 350 Duke for India in 2013, zie Austrians also confirmed that the KTM 350 Duke would be built locally in India by Bajaj, but would be exported worldwide — allaying fears that the KTM 350 Duke would be an India-only model.

Why Today is the Most Important Day for Ducati…Ever

Now that the first Ducati 1199 Panigale has rolled out of the door in Bologna, the die is cast, the chips are in play, and our course is set to see if Ducati has created a “massive breach of brand trust and honesty.” The realization of course should be that Ducati’s brand was never in danger with bikes like the Hypermotard, Multistrada 1200, or Diavel. Instead, the danger of serious brand dilution has always rested on how Ducati handled its Superbike line. A failure to produce a two-wheeled machine that is both as striking visually as it is kinetically, could permanently alienate a loyal fan base that has endured a great deal in the past half-decade.

Video: Community + Motorcycles = Motomethod

There is a lot that can be said about why dealerships fail or succeed (we’ve already seen an interesting insight on the subject of shops being open on Sundays), and one aspect on how to be a successful dealership that will surely rise to the top is one of community. Here, Vancouver-based Motomethod is all about the community, as the do-it-yourself community garden style repair shop has become a place for British Columbian riders not to work on their motorcycles, but also to congregate together with a shared love of riding on two wheels. Not exactly a new concept business-wise, but still a fresh perspective in an otherwise unwilling to change industry. More on this thought process to be published in the coming weeks. Enjoy.

Karel Abraham Releases Ducati Desmosedici GP12 Details: 999cc, 250hp, & 360 km/h Top Speed

After testing for three days at Jerez with Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini, Ducati Corse may not be saying much about the new Ducati Desmosedici GP12, but that hasn’t stop Karel Abraham from releasing some details about the new Italian steed today. The “official” technical specifications of MotoGP race bikes are always a bit vague, and Ducati Corse has unsurprisingly stuck to that trend with the GP12. Stating horsepower in the 250hp range, 15hp more than what was quoted for the GP11, Ducati also lists a top speed of over 360 km/h, up from the GP11′s 340+ km/h quoted figure.

Husqvarna Baja Concept Breaks Cover

Husqvarna continues its push into the on-road market, and has debuted another concept while at the New York IMS show today. Already showing us the Husqvarna Moab Concept in Milan, the folks at Husky have continued the thought process with the Moab, and built a more off-road capable dual-sport, which they are calling the Husqvarna Baja Concept. Another modern-take on retro design, the Baja concept carries over with it many of the Moab’s bigger design features, while sporting a 19″ knobby front tire for better off-road use. Husqvarna simply states that the concept uses a four-stroke liquid-cooled 650cc single-cylinder motor (same as the Moab), which surely will be sourced from BMW’s G650GS.

American Cafe Film Tells The Slimey Crud Run Story

Tue, January 12th, 2010 @ 8:10 pm, by John Adamo13 COMMENTS
Home » News » American Cafe Film Tells The Slimey Crud Run Story

Honestly I don’t even remember how I found out about The Slimey Crud Run. About 6 years ago, long after the ride originated I started making the trek up there from Chicago with my friends. How could we not attend a bike gathering that exists loosely between two Wisconsin towns in the middle of some of the best asphalt in the Midwest? It was quite obvious from the minute we heard about the ride that it was the brain child of riders. The only structure is to show up a Pine Bluff, WI in the morning and ride to Leland, WI and back again if you want. The time line and the route are totally up to you.

Read more and see the American Cafe movie trailer after the break.

Cresting the hill before the first stop in Pine Bluff you are greeted by a sea of plastic, crash guards, chrome, Gortex, primer, leather, fur, helmet mohawks and every motorcycle badge that has rolled the earth. People bring out their best for the Crud Run and unique rules the day. You get extra love for Italian, British and anything old. Expensive or highly modded goes a long way too. It’s common knowledge that the Run started as a cafe racer gathering but evolved into a remarkably balanced representation of motorcycle culture.

The Crud Run is a bit of a mystery for most as no one seems to know how it started and who plans it. It is not advertised and there are no ride leaders circling their arm. It just happens… twice a year, spring and fall, rain, snow or shine. For better or worse second society and Jason J. Gullickson will change that with the film American Cafe this May. Jason and crew have been pounding the pavement for the last few years interviewing the founders of the Crud Run and documenting their story.

I had the chance to view an early cut of American Cafe and I feel like I know a secret about one of the Midwest’s best motorcycle gatherings. The documentary tells the story of two guys who are on a mission to show up at the Crud Run on something unique. As Jason and Matthew Cribben tell the story of morphing their basket case 1972 Honda CL350 and 1982 Honda CB650SC into running cafe racers the Slimey Crud Motorcycle Gang tells the story of how the ride came to be. The gang is a strange mix of folks brought together by their love for two wheeled machines. Each of them are as unique as the bikes they ride. Motorcycle enthusiasts know one of the characters very well and he is often seen chatting with riders in Leland and Pine Bluff. I won’t ruin the surprise if you don’t know already but the second society website may give it away.

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast grab your riding buddies and get to Sundance Cinemas Madison in Madison, WI on May 1 for the first showing of American Cafe. Even if you have never been on a Crud Run you will relate to the camaraderie of the gang, great roads and great friends. Hope to see you there.

For more information check out the second society. You can also fan American Cafe on Facebook and follow American Cafe on Twitter. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets.

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Tagged under: Crud Run, culture, film, midwest, motorcycle documentary, SCMG, SCR, second society, Slimey Crud Motorcycle Gang, Slimey Crud Run, trailer

Comment:

Jason J. Gullickson says:
January 12, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Nice writeup on American Cafe by @skadamo at Asphalt and Rubber! http://bit.ly/50uPSz
American Cafe says:
January 12, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Nice writeup on American Cafe by @skadamo at Asphalt and Rubber! http://bit.ly/50uPSz
John Adamo says:
January 12, 2010 at 11:34 PM
Can't wait! #SlimeyCrud RT @jasongullickson: Nice writeup on American Cafe by @skadamo at @Asphalt_Rubber! http://bit.ly/50uPSz
Ducati Desmo says:
January 12, 2010 at 11:37 PM
American Cafe Film Tells The Slimey Crud Run Story http://bit.ly/7JSY17
Asphalt_Rubber says:
January 13, 2010 at 5:35 AM
American Cafe Film Tells The Slimey Crud Run Story – http://bit.ly/7TWcKk #motorcycle
John Adamo says:
January 13, 2010 at 6:57 AM
Wisconsin, Chicago, Midwest motorcyclists. Be sure to check out @acmovie about the Slimey Crud Run http://bit.ly/50uPSz #motorcycle #film
SupSappel says:
January 13, 2010 at 7:00 AM
RT @skadamo: Wisconsin, Chicago, Midwest motorcyclists. Be sure to check out @acmovie about the Slimey Crud Run http://bit.ly/50uPSz #motorc
Brammofan says:
January 13, 2010 at 7:31 AM
American Cafe Film Tells The Slimey Crud Run Story http://bit.ly/4CsCtN
Dave Jenneke says:
January 13, 2010 at 11:14 AM
You hit the nail on the head. I wouldn’t miss this showing for the world. May 1st is the day before this year’s run. I’ve been to many of the runs and they are all different with different participants for every one. The one thing you really want for a Crud Run is nice weather. Then you can enjoy the outdoors while smoozing and checking out the bikes. The grilled food that Kitt’s offers is much better on a sunny day too. The attendance is also much higher. Those of us who enjoy this event are counting the days to May 2nd. Now we have a reason to look forward to May Day too.
Ray says:
January 14, 2010 at 8:23 PM
Uh…anyone here ever read Leanings and Leanings 2 by Peter Egan? The Slimy Crud Motorcycle Gang? Highly recommended reading.
llamacide says:
January 25, 2010 at 12:59 PM
sorta reminds me of the M2M TT race from back in the late 90′s…. a TT style race that ran from Milwaukee to Minneapolis early on a saturday morning… the route was never disclosed until the morning of the race so authorities could stop it….
Bean Pole says:
February 22, 2010 at 6:22 PM
The photo has a typo in the Ad above, was to be Classic Limes, Pasta, Schnitzel & Rice. We debated about the USA ingrediant, finally settling on Pork, so really it’s; Limes, Pork, Pasta, Schnitzel, Rice. From the beginning, we were interested in you, your bikes, the sounds, the roads, Spring & Fall, Cafe Racers….the Style, all Motorcycles, helping Junior Sprecher’s wallet, and doing something to be around people like us.
skadamo says:
March 31, 2010 at 3:04 PM
American Cafe I assume? :D http://bit.ly/4E76Xq #motorcycle #documentary #SlimeyCrud RT @jasongullickson: Finally watching the "Final Cut"