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The BMW R18 Cruiser Is Finally, Finally Here

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Alas, the long wait is over, as BMW Motorrad has finally shown us the production version of its much-hyped cruiser model, the BMW R18.

Featuring the largest boxer engine ever produced by the German brand, the BMW R18 boasts an 1,802cc displacement for its two horizontally opposed cylinders.

As was teased, peak power is a paltry 90hp (67 kW), but the real attention-getter is the torque curve: 116 lbs•ft (158 Nm).

That peak torque figure hits at just a mere 3,000 rpm, but the BMW R18 churns out at least 110 lbs•ft (150 Nm) all the way from 2,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm, making for a nice broad power band to play with on the open road.

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News

US Gas Price Drops Below $2/Gallon – Will Drop More in April

By 9 Comments

While the bulk of the United States is self-distancing by staying home as much as possible because of the coronavirus, right now is one of the most affordable times to ride a motorcycle or drive a car, as the average price for a gallon of gasoline continues to drop at a noticeable rate.

This is because on average, a gallon of gasoline costs the least amount of money it ever has in the past four years, and the expectation for April is that gas prices could drop to $1.75/gallon on average across the country.

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MotoGP

Andrea Iannone Gets an 18-Month Ban for Doping from the FIM

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The International Disciplinary Court of the FIM has reached a decision at last. Andrea Iannone has been found guilty of having a banned substance in his bloodstream, and suspended from competition for 18 months.

The ban is backdated to December 17th, 2019, meaning that Iannone will be eligible to compete from June 16th, 2021.

The ban of 18 months is a reduction from the maximum allowed by the rules of 4 years, and an acknowledgement that Iannone did not ingest the banned substance – anabolic steroid drostanolone – with intent.

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Bikes

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R Looks Really Good in Carbon Fiber

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Today is a twofer for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R, as we get word from Southeast Asia that the bike’s debut this week has been postponed because of worries about spreading the coronavirus, which means we have to wait just a little longer to find out everything about this 250cc four-cylinder wonder.

On the bright side though, Team Green has posted up this unique carbon fiber creation, which it calls the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R Racer Custom model. As the name implies, it is a carbon-fiber-everything version of the ZX-25R, that is track-only.

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Bikes

A Few More Photos and Details of the Honda Trial 125

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Honda’s miniMOTO lineup has been a big hit for the Japanese brand, and now the lineup of pint-sized 125cc motorcycles is about to see the inclusion of its next machine, the Honda Trail 125 (the Honda Hunter Cub 125 in non-US markets).

Though still not a confirmed model for the USA and Europe, all signs point to the “Hunter Cub” (in at least one of its various names) coming to both markets.

We don’t have to wait for the bike’s arrival though to know what we’re getting though, as the new model is already on Honda Japan’s website, under the Honda CT125 name.

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News

This Week’s Honda CBR600RR-R Rumor

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If you are looking for a reason to survive the coronavirus outbreak (not that by any means you should giving up hope at this point) then let it be to see whether this rumor pans out to be true or not, as internet chatter is pointing to a Honda CBR600RR-R model for the 2021 model year.

The rumor comes from Japan’s Young Machine magazine, which posted the news on the cover of its latest print issue.

Young Machine says that Honda will debut the so-called “CBR600RR-R” at the end of this year (though, one has to wonder if the coronavirus outbreak could have already scuppered those possible plans).

Young Machine goes on to say that the CBR600RR-R will visually look similar to the CBR1000RR-R that just debuted for the 2020 model year, complete with aerodynamic winglets.

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Bikes

KTM 890 Duke R Coming to the USA with a $11,700 Price Tag

By 18 Comments

Want some good news to start your weekend? Thank your favorite Austrian motorcycle brand, because the KTM 890 Duke R is not only coming to America, but it will be here (in limited numbers) very, very soon.

This is because KTM North America has been able to import a small number of KTM 890 Duke R motorcycles into the United States, which will be ready for purchase in Spring 2020, instead of Fall 2020 (as 2021 model year bikes) as was originally planned.

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Bikes

Honda CB-F Concept Debuts with Retro-Modern Flare

By 26 Comments

The Tokyo Motorcycle Show and Osaka Motorcycle Show have had to scratch this year because of coronavirus concerns in Japan, but some motorcycle brands that would have been attending are taking a more “virtual” approach to their exhibits. 

That is bad news for our Japanese readers, who were hoping to go to these shows for a super dosage of two-wheeled goodness, but for us here in the United States, it means that more of the shows will be accessible from across the Pacific.

First on the docket comes to us from Big Red, which just launched its own virtual expo website, and first on the list is this Honda CB-F concept, which just dropped with its retro lines and modern chassis and engine.

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Racing

Former AMA Champion Mat Mladin Arrested for Child Sex Crimes

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Some shocking news from down under, as former AMA Pro Superbike champion Mat Mladin has been arrested and charged for a variety of sex crimes with a child.

The news comes from Australia’s Daily Telegraph – which we feel obligated to say is considered the least trustworthy major news outlet in Australia – and outlines several different crimes that Mladin is accused of committing.

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Bikes

Cleveland Cyclewerks Releases an Electric Falcon

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Cleveland Cyclewerks is known better for its low-cost small-displacement gas motorcycles, but now they have something a bit more electrifying in their lineup.

Say hello the Falcon, an electric motorcycle that continues the Cleveland Cyclewerks focus, but in a new way.

The electric Cleveland Cyclewerks Falcon has a futuristic look to match its modern drivetrain, but it still fills that small-displacement role that the American brand has carved out for itself.

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News

There Is a Battle Right Now for the Control of Harley-Davidson

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Well before the firing of Harley-Davidson CEO Matt Levatich (and it was a firing, no matter how much the Bar & Shield brand touts its “mutual decision” narrative), there has been a wrestling of control over the future of the iconic American motorcycle brand.

Dwindling share prices on the New York Stock Exchange necessitated a change of regime at Harley-Davidson, as shareholders saw a continued loss on their investment with the Milwaukee firm; and thus, a loss of confidence in management’s ability to run the company.

Now with Matt Levatich out and Jochen Zeitz taking on the role of interim CEO and President of Harley-Davidson, a new battle is being fought – what is known in the investing world as a proxy fight.

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