Readers know I expect 2009 to bad, especially in the UK. So far, the bike market is slowing, but doesn’t seem to have collapsed like the car market. But that situation is perhaps 3-6 months away in my opinion.
Consider this; sterling has lost 45% of its value against the yen, some 33% against the euro. [...]
2009 and beyond
Endgame begins for manufacturers
Regular readers will know I take a gloomy view of the current economic situation and expect things to get considerably worse, before they get better.
There are many reasons for this, but the short answer is that the fraud – and repackaging a bad debtor loan as an asset is fraud – which has been encouraged [...]
Bike Show Girls Extra
Let’s hear it for the show girls. What would motorcycle show press days be like without them? A gay-fest basically…
Here’s Mabel and Clara from Milan last year, doing a great job..
Buell 1125CR is a step up
Rode the Buell 1125 Cafe Racer lately, which is really a kind of all-rounder, as it’s far too comfortable to be labelled a cafe racer. It’s another step along the road towards respectable performance biking for Buell.
The launch in Germany saw a small racetrack used, very twisty, couple of tricky hairpins and the new bike [...]
Honda’s `Stunning’ CBF125
p>Intermot has seen one of the most crucial Honda launches of recent years; the new CBF125 commuter machine.
Not impressed? Maybe, but this basic no-frills bike, with its disc brake, half fairing and sturdy 11bhp single-cylinder motor is a modern day successor to the C90 Cub. It is also set to make Honda an absolute fortune in the EU [...]
Triumph’s Thai 125/250 ambitions?
Here’s a thing to consider; if you opened a second factory in Thailand, with some support from the local government, which of course you would never get from the lame-duck, bank-rescuing UK government, then what would you make there?
More Street Triples? Maybe. High ticket sportbikes like a 1050 Daytona, that would retail for 8000 sterling? [...]
Lambretta with a Chinese twist?
Word in the backroom is that Lambretta might be making a return at Intermot, with a new range of retro style scooters featuring chinese technology under European designed sidepanels, cool, electronic, i-pod friendly dashboards and a massive range of aftermarket accessories and options.
The idea behind the revival is to follow the success of the Fiat [...]
Harley Trike at Intermot?
Rumors abound that Harley will show a Piaggio/Gilera type three wheeler at Intermot. The trike will be a concept vehicle aimed to gauge public reaction, and feature the V-Rod motor.
Two wheels at the front will effectively `lean’ as the bike corners, using the same technology as the Piaggio MP3/Gilera Fuoco thing. Harley are supposedly looking [...]
Cheeky Girls
I spotted these two at the London SHow a few years back, they were offering some motivational advice which looked very interesting…
Daytona showgirl
From the archives – Ashley at the Daytona swap meet show 06, showing the spirit of a biking summer.
and her pants.
good on ya girl…
2009 Harley/Buell models
Harley Davidson have released their 2009 and the most interesting change is the new chassis for the big touring models.
First off, the existing H-D Touring bikes are too heavy all round and the new chassis will hopefully shave a few pounds off them. Secondly, the suspension – especially at the rear – is too harsh, [...]
Triumph Flat-Tracker at Intermot 2008
I hear that it’s likely Triumph will debut its 2009 flat-tracker Bonneville at the Intermot Show in Fall 2008.
What I’ve heard from the factory is that the new bike will have an extensive range of accessories, plus `68 ‘ branded clothing, lid, boots, gloves etc so customers can really get the Ron Grant/Steve McQueen thing [...]
The 60s chop is our future dream
This is a chop built in 2006 for the Pro Custom Show in Yorkshire. Stez from Polar Cycles designed it and took first prize in the UK Biker Build Off comp on the weekend.
A tribute to the classic Easy Rider movie, it’s called Captain America and impressed the hell out of loads of people who [...]
More motorcycle show girls
I know there’s no excuse really, but here’s yet more motorcycle showgirls for you – including Jodie Marsh, sometime celeb, model and actually rides a motorbike – true!
insider
jodie marsh at ally pally
Harley’s MV Agusta deal will finish Buell
In the real world, Buell never got its act totally together, it always seemed a `Cindarella’ part of H-D’s empire.
Dublin Motorbike Showgirls
Two ladies aboard an AMD Biker Build-Off Custom bike…
Morini retro 1200 Sport arrives
The first of the Moto Morini 1200 Sport retro models has arrived in the UK, importers Three Cross had them at the Beaulieu show recently and the reaction was good. Most riders seem to love the combination of old fashioned paint schemes - the Lotus inspired green/gold is a masterstroke in my opinion – and the [...]
Harley XR1200 lugagge kit
The new flat track style Harley has an optional touring luggage kit available.
Soft tail pack, which features small panniers, and converts into rucksack too. Handy. The tank bag expands, clips off easily for fuel stops, has semi rigid construction so the bag keeps its shape and the separate 3 inner compartments retain their shape.
The luggage also has [...]
Vectrix Electric Scooter tested
Had a quick ride on the Vectrix electric scooter the other day and was impressed, and pleasantly surprised at how balanced and easy to ride it is.
I expected something as unwieldy as the Burgman 650 or Silverwing 600 looking at the tech spec, as the Vectrix is very heavy, ( 234kgs ) but the batteries [...]
