Written by Neil Johnston + Photos Kevin Miklossy / Glenn Simmons / Andre Tyne
Monday, 05 May 2008
In the tunnel a mid-90’s blue Cavalier pulls along side. Glancing to the right, through the glass, I see the driver mouthing the words, “Is that the new Monster?” I nod. He gives me a thumbs up, and with a roll on of the throttle the tunnel fills with the 2009 Monster 696’s twin under-seat exhaust barking their departure.
Written by Neil Johnston + Photos by Kevin Miklossy and Glenn Simmons
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Worldwide BMW has engineered a moto-media furor over the upcoming F800GS, a bike that is flying off virtual showroom floors with a popularity matching air, or water, or coffee. In that hubbub the F800GS’s sibling, the F650GS, has been all but forgotten in the media’s glare. That’s a pity, because this unpretentious offering, soldiering on under a name that doesn’t quite fit could be BMW’s main event.
It’s a moment that I wish we’d had a film crew for. The Monster 696 is alongside the 848 and the Hypermotard on a vacant cul-de-sac by the airport. Jets pass overhead as we take a breather, and it strikes me that with these three bikes, a little more budget, and a little more time we could have had an epic test here.
OneWheelDrive.Net contributor and long distance rider Gary Eagan is at it again, and this time he’s taking on one of motorsport’s most notorious challenges, the Cannonball Run. If that isn’t intriguing enough Gary won’t be riding a soft continent crossing tourer, no it’s the Ducati 1098 S for him. Oh, and there’s a little matter of gunning for a record…
Written by Neil Johnston + Photos By Kevin Miklossy
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Almost every bike has a one defining element, something that differentiates it in a crowded market place. Occasionally that’s luscious looks, cosseting comfort, prodigious power, outstanding handling (okay, I ran out of alliteration there); with the BMW R1200R you’ve got to dig as deep as your first good pull of the throttle. There it is, what defines an otherwise plain Jane “naked”… an engine that gouts torque like a Monty Python skit gouts blood.
Abbotsford, BC, Canada, April 14, 2008: The 2008 RPM Supermoto Championship has given the green flag to an expanded motorcycle race schedule that includes multiple tracks and competition on both national and international levels.
Ducati North America may be delighted to announce that NCR will serve as the official Ducati supported racing team in the 2008 Parts Canada Superbike Championship series, but likely the rest of the field won't be. The joint effort will campaign the new 848 Superbike in the Canadian Thunder National class, and that means things are about to become a whole lot more competitive. Not that NCR has a reputation for building exceptionally fast, exceptionally light, exceptioally powerful bikes from already exceptionally fast, exceptionally light, exceptioally powerful bikes.
Luckily there are power to weight ratio's in the class.
Ducati must be smiling, hot on the heels of a World Superbike double victory at Phillip Island, the new Ducati 1098 R is finding its way into North American showrooms – and for the first 300 owners it’s packing a special bonus.
At the Vancouver Motorcycle show, I glanced over the ZX-14, 2008 Hayabusa and B-King and set up a date with the Ducati 1098 R for later in the year. To a one the horsepower figures are astounding, driven upwards by a market with the “more is better” philosophy. I’ve some bad news for consumers and manufacturers. According to happiness researchers we may have it all wrong.
Steve Snoen of Surrey, B.C. was the 2007 winner of British Columbia’s first Motogiro style event aboard a 1956 BSA C12 250. The event itself was admittedly a modest affair according to organizers, but looking to build on that success the second annual Motogiro BC is scheduled for the weekend of July 5th/6th 2008 in and around Kamloops, B.C.
Ducati 1098 R... 180 hp, 165 kg (364 lbs), race exhaust kit, traction control, 99.1lb-ft of torque. Those numbers alone should have most salivating. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.00 speeding tickets, go directly to the track.
Zagwear Inc. Expands Client Roster PR Newswire (press release), NY - 2 hours ago Most recently, Zagwear was commissioned by BMW to create the BMW Motorcycle New Owner Kit as a unique gift to new BMW Motorcycle buyers. ...
Going strong at 57, Houma motorcycle man tears up the track Houma Courier, Louisiana - 3 hours ago Miller still manages to find time to get on his own Suzuki GS 1100 and barrel down the track himself. But between his shop and his racing team, ...
Ducati must be smiling, hot on the heels of a World Superbike double victory at Phillip Island, the new Ducati 1098 R is finding its way into North American showrooms – and for the first 300 owners it’s packing a special bonus. 
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