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August 2009

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Metric Motorcycle Sales Still Slipping

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It’s doom and gloom today. The motorcycle industry continues to be slogged on the nose like a near-sighted proctologist, as exports from metric manufacturers declined by 65% this June from 2008’s figures. This drop comes after May only showed a 58% loss over last year’s numbers, showing an escalation of the problems for the motorcycle industry, instead of the beginnings of an abatement. For those who aren’t keeping score, 2009 so far has sold 25% less units than 2008, with the crunch hitting the hardest as sales normally would pick up during the summer.

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Bikes

The Multiple Personalities of the Boxer SSR

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You might think that French Company Boxer Design’s Boxer SSR has multiple personalities after you read this post. With a body kit and fairly modular design, the Boxer SSR can go from naked streetfighter to full-faired sportbike with an easy to make cosemetic adjustment. Both designs are stricking, and with the added modularity, and limited production run, you’re sure to have a unique bike at any meet-up or event.

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Racing

Randy de Puniet Breaks Ankle Training

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Frenchman Randy de Puniet has broken his ankle while training on his motorcross bike. Riding with three-time World Champion Yves De Maria, de Puniet hit the ground while going through a turn. The injury required de Puniet to have an operation, and he now has screws in-place to hold the fracture. With only two weeks remaining in MotoGP’s little summer siesta, Randy will clearly not be 100% when MotoGP resumes at Brno on August 16th.

No word yet as to whether de Puniet was wearing a helmet, or if he had his shirt on.

Source: MotoGP Hotties

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Bikes

Zero Expands Lineup With Zero DS Dual Sport

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Zero Motorcycles recently introduced a 4th model to their electric motorcycle line up. The Zero DS is a dual-sport bike built on the Zero S supermoto platform. The front suspension of the DS gains 2″ of travel over the S for a total of 10”, while rear travel remains unchanged at 9”. A 50/50 street/dirt tire is fitted to the 17″ front rim and a 90/10 street/dirt tire is fitted to the 16″ rear. This is an unusual tire combination for a production dual sport but the semi-aggressive front is a welcomed change from the tires found on most dual-sports, which are more suited to street than dirt use.

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News

Honda to Debut Electric Two-Wheeler in 2010…Again

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Visordown is reporting today that Honda has announced that the company will have a battery-powered two-wheeler (notice the absence of the word motorcycle) available to corporate customers in 2010. However, if you’re a loyal A&R reader (as you damn well better be), you of course know that this announcement isn’t anything new. What is interesting though, is how Honda plans to stick their toe into the electric waters.

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Racing

Aspar Ducati Satellite Team Official – No Bautista Yet

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You may remember that we reported earlier in July that Jorge “Aspar” Martinez was closing-in on realizing his dream of racing in the MotoGP series. Well, that day is finally upon us now. While at Donington Park this past weekend, Aspar announced that a deal with Ducati had indeed been reached.

The Spanish team principle will run a satellite Ducati team with a solitary bike, however a rider has yet to be determined. Alvaro Bautista, the most logical choice to pilot Aspar’s Ducati, has said that within the next few weeks he will make a decisions as to whether he will join MotoGP. Should he decide to move up to the premiere class, you can bet that he will land on the Spanish team.

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