Latest Posts:
Asphalt & Rubber
Author

Jensen Beeler

Browsing
Rumors

Is a Four-Cylinder Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R Really Coming?

By No Comments

The headline shares our thoughts on the matter. Is there really a four-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R in the works? That is the rumor coming out of Asia, and not exactly a new one.

The bike is expected to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this year, in October, with an eye on reviving Japan’s lost history of screaming small-displacement machines.

While there seems to be some evidence that the bike will debut – sightings of a prototype have already been published – our reservations for excitement come from similar rumors that have failed to pan out.

Keep Reading
By
MotoGP

Paddock Pass Podcast #104 – Italian GP

By No Comments

Episode 104 of the Paddock Pass Podcast is out, and in it we see Neil Morrison and David Emmett joined on the microphones by French journalist Thomas Baujard, as we discuss the happenings at the Italian GP at Mugello.

As usual, the guys cover the on track action at the race, as well as the goings on behind the scenes in the paddock.

Obviously, the main topic of conversation is about Danilo Petrucci, who took his first MotoGP race win – a career highlight that is added to by being on an Italian bike at the Italian grand prix.

Keep Reading
By
Rumors

Rumors of Honda CRF850L Come from Japan

By No Comments

While we continue to hear news that the Honda Africa Twin will get a displacement bump to 1,100cc for next year, now we are starting to hear a new rumor from Big Red’s adventure lineup – namely, that a Honda CRF850L is in the pipeline.

The obvious play here is that the baby Africa Twin model would slot in under the 1,100cc version, as a proper middleweight option to go against the BMW F850GS, KTM 790 Adventure R, and the Yamaha Ténéré 700 (whenever it finally comes to market).

The middleweight ADV segment is very hot right now, and it makes sense for Honda to want to get in on the action. As such, this rumor makes a great deal of sense…but then, it also really doesn’t pass the smell test either.

Keep Reading
By
Racing

Up-Close with Peter Hickman’s BMW S1000RR IOMTT Race Bike

By No Comments

A few days ago, we sat down with Peter Hickman to figure out what it takes to find the limit at the Isle of Man TT. Now today, we get up-close and personal on the machine he is campaigning in the Superbike and Senior TT races.

A 2020 BMW S1000RR, the race bike is put together by Smiths Racing BMW, with the hope that the German superbike’s supremacy on the Mountain Course continues with this next generation of the machine, and thus add to Hickman’s two-win tally at the Isle of Man TT.

As we can see from Steve’s photos though, this is not your ordinary BMW S1000RR…in fact, it is not your ordinary superbike.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

MV Agusta Superveloce 800 Serie Oro, Only 300 Will Be Made

By No Comments

We knew already that the MV Agusta Superveloce 800 will move from concept status to production model for next year, but now we know more from Italy.

The news is namely that the attractive retro-modern sport bike will debut as a “Serie Oro” model, a common nomenclature that MV Agusta uses for early premium edition motorcycles that often come in limited quantity.

As such, we know that only 300 units will be made of the MV Agusta Superveloce 800 Serie Oro, making this the latest limited edition model from the iconic brand.

Keep Reading
By
News

Gone Riding…Again: BMW S1000RR M Package

By No Comments

Greetings from a very warm Birmingham, Alabama where we are about to swing a leg over the new BMW S1000RR…again.

After a disappointing and inadequate international launch in Portugal, where the rain got in the way of our two-wheeled fun, BMW Motorrad USA has invited us out to the famous Barber Motorsports Park to ride their new superbike for a second time.

That is just fine by us, because yours truly has been keen to swing a leg over the 2020 BMW S1000RR, and see how it compares to the offerings from the other top brands, not to mention I have always wanted to ride this popular American track.

Keep Reading
By
Rumors

This Week’s Yamaha YZF-R1 Rumor, Bride of Chuckie

By No Comments

The 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 has been the subject of much rumor lately, as it appears the Japanese brand is getting ready to bring a new version for the next model year. What the bike will entail though is subject to some debate, however.

Over in Europe, there has been no shortage of speculation about the new superbike, fueled by patent applications from Yamaha over the past few years.

Reading those rumors now, our own Bothan spies from within the Iwata factory’s ranks have reached out to us, in an effort to set the record straight. The news is a mixture of good and bad.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

Yet Another BMW R18 Concept Bike Debuts with that Mammoth 1,800cc Boxer Engine

By No Comments

It is the worst-kept secret in the motorcycle industry right… We are talking about BMW Motorrad’s upcoming cruiser, which will features an 1,800cc air-cooled push rod boxer engine.

We know this because the German brand has been shoehorning the mammoth-sized engine into a variety of show bikes, all in the effort to get excited about this “Harley-Davidson killer” of a motorcycle.

Spy photos have also given us a glimpse of the bagger that we can expect to see unveiled later this year, but for now we have yet another concept machine to whet our appetites.

Keep Reading
By
Bikes

Check Out This Hyper Tasty Ducati Hypermotard 950 Concept

By No Comments

I am not quite sure what makes the following a “concept” in the eyes of the Italian manufacturer, as the Ducati Hypermotard 950 is already a production model (it’s quite good too, by the way), and the example we see here differs only in paint and parts.

But still, the attraction that the Centro Stile Ducati has poured into this Hypermotard 950 is lurid, for sure.

The judges at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este would seem to agree with us as well, as this Hyper won first place in the ”Concept Bikes: New Design and Prototypes by Manufacturers and Independents” category at the prestigious event.

Keep Reading
By
News

Motorcyclist Magazine Going Out of Print

By No Comments

It is the end of an era, as we get word from Dealer News that Motorcyclist Magazine will cease its print production after its July/August edition.

Going forward, the fabled print publication will shift to a purely digital medium, focusing on its website, social media channels, and video productions.

This move comes just two and a half years after Motorcyclist switched to a six-issue per year format, as the brand tried to re-gear itself as more of a lifestyle offering for two-wheeled enthusiasts.

Keep Reading
By