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Asphalt & Rubber
KTM’s Stefan Pierer Gobbles Up 25% of MV Agusta
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KTM’s Stefan Pierer Gobbles Up 25% of MV Agusta

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The BMW M1000RR Superbike Takes Another Step Forward for 2023
Bikes

The BMW M1000RR Superbike Takes Another Step Forward for 2023

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The BMW S1000RR Gets Wings and Updates for the 2023 Model Year
Bikes

The BMW S1000RR Gets Wings and Updates for the 2023 Model Year

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News

MV Agusta Claims 50% Boost in Sales

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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.

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Bikes

KTM Freeride Video and More Photos

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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.

News

Norton NRV700 in the Works – 210HP Rotary by 2011

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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.

Banter

Video: BMW S1000RR Valves Redux

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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.

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Video: Spies and Edwards Go on a ‘Mancation’

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Yamaha has released another funny video 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.