Latest Posts:
Asphalt & Rubber
Archive

March 2010

Browsing
News

MV Agusta Claims 50% Boost in Sales

By 1 Comment

MV Agusta has issued a press release stating that the Italian brand has seen a 50% increase in unit sales the last three months when compared to the first quarter of 2009. Unfortunately Asphalt & Rubber has no way of verifying if these numbers are accurate, but their release is certainly well-timed with the added talk in the business world surrounding MV Agusta’s divesture from Harley-Davidson.

Was Harley able to turn the brand around? Are the new F4 and Brutale selling like hotcakes? Or is this carefully seeded information to help a deal along? Only time will tell. Photos of the new MV’s after the jump.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

KTM Freeride Video and More Photos

By 2 Comments

KTM has released the rest of its press materials on the Freeride dirt and street concepts, including a short promo video that has both bikes doing their thing. The photos are mostly from the Tokyo show, but also include some action shots. The dirt bike clip caught our eye as the Freeride looked very strong. We can’t wait for a chance to give it a turn and see if its just movie magic we’re seeing, or the real thing. Photos and video after the jump.

Keep Reading
By
News

California Rebating $1,500 on Electric Motorcycle Purchases with Clean Vehicle Rebate Project

By 6 Comments

After Gov. Schwarzenegger signed into law California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), the Governator took a tour of electric vehicle companies in the Golden State. The new law lops $1,500 off the sticker price off an electric motorcycle for California residence, which in many cases means over 15% off the sticker price.

Taking a look at both Zero Motorcycles and Mission Motors, Gov. Schwarzenegger made endorsing comments about the two companies and how they are allowing California to take the lead in the emerging electric vehicle markets.

Keep Reading
By
Racing

Vito Ippolito Speaks on The Future of Motorcycling and the FIM’s e-Power Championship

By 1 Comment

During at stop in Utrecht, Netherlands, David Emmett over at MotoMatters was able to have a sit down discussion with FIM bossman Vito Ippolito. In their conversation, Emmett gets a rare chance to ask Ippolito a variety of questions regarding the latest MotoGP rule changes, and inner-workings of the FIM, and its involvement in roadracing events.

The interview sheds terrific insight into how manufacturers, sponsorships, national and internationa pressures, and rule making shape the sport we all enjoy, and as the interview winds down, Emmett asks Ippolito about the role the FIM is taking in electric motorcycle racing, and how the FIM sees the future of motorcycling. With permission from MotoMatters we’ve reproduced this section of the interview after the jump, but recommend everyone to read the full interview transcript on MotoMatters.com. It’s well worth the read, and one of the best interviews we’ve seen in a while in the racing space.

Keep Reading
By
Products

Arai RX-7 Limited Edition TT Series Helmets

By 3 Comments

Starting with 2010 and for the next two subsequent years, Arai will make a limited edition Isle of Man TT series of helmet. Each helmet will be designed by Aldo Drudi, and will be limited to 500 helmets. The move is part of Araii’s sponsorship package with the IOMTT, and will see the venue get a cut of each helmet shown. First up for 2010 is this Arai RX-7 GP that features the Three Legs of Man symbol.

Keep Reading
By
News

Norton NRV700 in the Works – 210HP Rotary by 2011

By 15 Comments

We were disappointed last summer when the Norton NRV588 didn’t take a lap at speed around the Isle of Man circuit during the TT, but that didn’t stop the British racing team from clocking 178mph on the salt flats. It looks like Norton Racing has taken the data they’ve learned from the NRV588 and plan to refine the machine into a 700cc race-spec motorcycle that’s an evolution of the current 588cc pocket rocket. Altough Norton plays it coy on their website, rumor has it that they’re reportedly eying the British Superbike series and maybe even a World Superbike comeback within the next three years.

Keep Reading
By
Banter

Video: BMW S1000RR Valves Redux

By 5 Comments

You may remember the cult motorcycle YouTube classic “BMW S1000RR Titanium Valves at 14,200 RPM“, well now we have a sequel to that movie. Showing the BMW’s titanium valves from a cylinder’s point of view, this S1000RR is rev’d through the rpm range with interesting results.

Because of the shutter effect on the video recorder we see the valves go through their motions until finally seemingly stopping as the shutter rate and valve moment go out of sync and re-sync. If you ever wanted to know what was going on inside you bike, here’s a good start on the subject. Video after the jump.

Keep Reading
By
Racing

e-Power Coming to Laguna Seca During MotoGP

By 3 Comments

UPDATE 2: The Laguna Seca round is now officially added to the e-Power Championship.

UPDATE: It would seem the folks at Laguna Seca are still negotiating with the FIM, and nothing has been signed yet. This statement does confirm however that Seca is the targeted venue for the e-Power Championship.

The FIM isn’t saying it outright, but it looks as if the e-Power Championship is slated to occur during MotoGP’s stop at Laguna Seca on July 25th. Listed as “TBA,” the FIM’s new venue is listed as being organized by the AMA, and of course the race falls on the same date as the US GP, so putting two and two together on this one isn’t too hard. This addition to the schedule comes after the FIM cancelled the e-Power Championship’s stop at the Doha endurance race, and the Dutch GP at Assen. More after the jump.

Keep Reading
By
Racing

MotoGP Will Be Broadcasted in HD – 3D to Follow?

By 8 Comments

Dorna Sports has announced that this year’s MotoGP season will be shot in HD and broadcasted in high definition where available. After suffering through years of regular definition coverage that was often grainy and poorly saturated (there’s a reason MotoGP bikes have bright colors), race fans will hopefully be able to see their favorite riders lap the track in more clarity. Bonus for us American viewers, SPEED Channel has agreed to carry the races on its HD channel.

Keep Reading
By
Banter

Video: Spies and Edwards Go on a ‘Mancation’

By 9 Comments

Yamaha has released for us to enjoy, and this time it features Team Texas: Colin Edwards and Ben Spies. The story is set with the Texan Duo heading out in a station wagon in order to have a “mancation” filled with bonding and other manly stuff. With inside jokes, casual references to prior racing seasons, and flahbacks to previous videos by Yamaha, we think someone in the Yamaha marketing department deserves a cookie. Check past the jump to get your laugh on Texan style.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

KTM Freeride Concepts Leak Ahead of Unveiling

By 3 Comments

UPDATE: In the wake of the embargo break, KTM has released official photos and a press release about the KTM FREERIDE concept motorcycles. They’ve been added to the bottom of the post.

German magazine Motorrad has leaked photos of the KTM Freeride near-production prototypes a few days ahead of the March 26th launch of the motorcycle at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. The Freeride concepts are the first glimpse into a major manufacturer’s attempt at entering the electric motorcycle realm, and likely are a close representation to what we’ll see the Austrian company release to the public. More after the jump with photos.

Keep Reading
By