Honda Gold Wing To Go Hybrid?

World's biggest motorcycle manufacturer, Japan based Honda , has filed last year (September 2010) for a patent for a hybrid motorcycle. Looking at the patent in detail, among all the legal goobledygook, and the attached drawing, it's quite obvious that the motorcycle in question is Honda's flag tourer; the Gold Wing.

Below is a drawing which was submitted with the patent, and within the drawing I have superimposed a photo of the actual Gold Wing, and you can see it's a near match (you can click on the photo for a bigger version).


Making the Gold Wing a hybrid is a great idea, except for one thing. From the numerous experiences with hybrid cars, owners are reporting back that hybrid cars don't save gasoline when going long distances. They are worth their weight in gold in the city, will all the stopping, starting, acceleration. The Gold Wing was made for riding long distances, miles and miles of roads. There would be very little need to switch to an electrical engine.

Though I like the idea, somehow it just doesn't look effective to me. Hybrid scooters, or hybrid street motorcycles make much more sense.

What do you think? Will this be a success if Honda ever brings out the hybrid, or should they stick to making hybrid city scooters?

Click here to read the Honda Hybrid patent .

Via: Kneeslider

Honda Crosssrunner First Ride

2011 Honda Crossrunner

Motorcycle Daily has taken the new , VFR800-based 2011 Crossrunner out on the road to put it through its paces.

The Crossrunner was introduced last fall as a 2011 model at the EICMA show in Italy as bike with offroad pretensions–and pretensions is pretty much all they are. Really, this is a street bike, although one powered by the 782cc V-4 VTEC mill that powers the European version of the Interceptor. That’s not a bad heritage for any streetbike.

Unlike the VFR, however, the Crossrunner sports comfy, upright ergonomics to go along with its V-4 character.

The pluses appear to be a bike that, like the Suzuki Bandit, offers you a torquey engine with 100HP, a relaxed riding position. The down side for the sporting enthusiast, is the 530lbs wet weight, but in general it seems like it would be a fun bike.

What do you guys think?

Spring Tire Tips From Dunlop

Riding season is coming and one of the crucial thing is to check your tire before you travel. Two vital thing is

1: Check your tire pressure
2: Always know your load limit

Here are some tip from Dunlop Motorcycle tires product manager Mike Manning

“Begin your springtime inspection by checking the tire sidewalls for signs of cracking—indicators that it could be time for replacements. Never apply tire sidewall treatments or dressings, which can actually accelerate tire cracking. Even if your tires look okay, this may be a great time to replace them.

“For showery springtime riding, it’s especially important to be aware that worn tires decrease the ability to dissipate water. Worn tires also decrease handling and become more susceptible to punctures, so always replace worn tires before they reach the tread-depth indicators (1/32 of an inch) inside the tread grooves. Be sure to check several points around the tire, including the center tread as this portion of the tire is especially vital for water evacuation.

“Summer brings heat, and with it elevated road temperatures. Heat is the enemy of tires, so in the heat of summer it is especially important to check tire pressures frequently to ensure proper inflation. Underinflated tires generate additional heat by flexing more than they should, while a properly inflated tire runs cooler.

“In addition, we’ve listed a few more tire tips for you and your motorcycle. We hope you enjoy the new riding season and that these tire tips are helpful. Ride safe wherever you may travel.”

—Before setting out, especially on long rides, be sure to check your motorcycle’s load limit in the owner’s manual against the total weight of rider and passenger with riding gear, plus all cargo. Exceeding that limit could lead to sudden tire failure and can seriously compromise your safety.

—Maintaining the correct air pressures is crucial to the tires’ rolling efficiency, steering, grip, wear and load-carrying capabilities—for every 4 psi a tire is underinflated, you lose 80 pounds of load-carrying capacity. Remember, the air in your tires helps carry all of the load including your motorcycle, you, your passenger and all your cargo, so check cold air pressures as often as possible with a high-quality air-pressure gauge, and have it calibrated at least once a year. Checking tire pressures is the most important tire maintenance function you can perform.

Ride Safe everybody and wear your gear!

Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak is here!

They are 4 Riding Modes to ensure extraordinary all-terrain versatility, in-built Ducati racing DNA and extensive use of carbon fibre parts to enhance style and performance even further. The Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Special Edition, developed in the wake of the stunning Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race victory, embodies the racing prowess of the Multistrada perfectly.
Every Ducati has its own sporting soul. For all my Italian friend, Happy 150th anniversary of Italy's Unity!



For more info go to, http://www.ducati.com/bikes/multistrada/1200_s_pikes_peak/index.do

Suzuki: John Hopkins not considered for Estoril

Hopkins was not considered for Estoril

John Hopkins was never considered as possible injury cover for Alvaro Bautista at this weekend’s Portuguese MotoGP race in Estoril.

Bautista plans to race his factory Suzuki GSV-R machine in Estoril this weekend just six weeks after he suffered a broken left femur during practice for the season’s opening round in Qatar in March.

But if he is unable to ride at a competitive pace and is in too much discomfort with the injury, Suzuki has test and development rider Nobuatsu Aoki on standby to take his place should the Spaniard be forced to withdraw.

Hopkins is Suzuki’s contracted replacement rider and he stood in for Bautista in Jerez earlier this month. The American finished in a respectable 10th position in his first MotoGP ride since the end of 2008.

But Hopkins, who scored a best result of fifth place in his British Superbike debut at Brands Hatch yesterday, is unable to act as cover for Bautista this weekend because of his BSB commitments with the Samsung Suzuki squad at Oulton Park.

And factory Suzuki MotoGP boss Paul Denning told MCN that it was not even considered to have Hopkins in Estoril this weekend in case Bautista is unable to ride.

Denning said: "We are just not in the business of letting a lot of people down and a large number of people have come on board as part of the Crescent BSB team based on John’s involvement."

"John did a brilliant job in Jerez to prove his own ability, but to be in a championship over the course of a year to show his strength and consistency and to compete in a fist fight that BSB is, that is just as important for his future career."

"We’re just not willing to break agreements basically. To pull John out of a BSB round to be at Estoril when he might not even ride the bike just doesn’t make any sense. Nobuatsu will be in Estoril for the whole weekend because he is testing on Monday, so if we need him he will be there."

Via: Motorcyclenews.com

Polaris to Buy Indian, But What Happens to Victory?

Black and cream Blackhawk powered by a Power Plus 105 inch motor and built by Indian Motorcycle in Kings Mountain, NC.

Some motorcycle brands know how to quietly crawl into a corner and die. Others…not so much. One such brand is Indian, which stopped making motorcycles in 1953, and was then, like the waxen corpse of Evita Peron, taken out every decade and paraded about. Some new Indians actually have been built, first by a reformed Indian Motorcycle Company of America in Gilroy, California, and when that company went bust in 2003, by yet another Indian Motorcycle company in North Carolina from 2009 onwards. The new bikes are reportedly fine machines.

We at MD don’t know much about the new Indians, just that they are big, expensive and have little in common other than styling with the original Indian products (but given the last Indians rolled off the line in the early years of the Eisenhower administration, that’s hardly a surprise). Not really a mass market product, as a basic 2010 Chief will set you back $26,000. So that’s why we were surprised to learn that on April 19^th, Polaris (maker of snowmobiles, quads and Victory cruisers) announced it had acquired the privately held Indian Motorcycle company.

The terms of the deal are undisclosed, but that won’t stop us—and you—from endless speculation. Since the price and terms are secret, does that mean Novator Partners (the UK-based investor that sold Indian) is embarrassed to be dumping an under-performing company at a loss? Or did they make a buck and want to keep their rivals guessing? Why does Polaris want the Indian name? Will the Victory moniker get dumped, with 2012 Victory models getting giant fenders, Chief and Scout badges?

Details are scanty. Polaris did say Victory would be kept as an “autonomous business unit,” which would make sense, as a great deal has been invested in new manufacturing facilities. Still, Polaris’ expertise in marketing, manufacturing and distribution (and its massive dealer network) could be what Indian needs to become a bigger brand. It would also seem logical to keep Victory as an “entry-level” luxo-cruiser (although that seems to be a “jumbo shrimp” or “Microsoft Works” kind of contradiction), with Indian as an aspirational brand—think BMW to Rolls Royce more than Chevy to Cadillac.

Whatever happens, we know we’ll find out more, as Polaris has top-notch (and very responsive) PR staff. Dirck and I look forward to our first-ever Harley v. Indian luxury-touring shootout. I’ll bring the Cohibas and single-malt scotch. Dirck will have to loosen up the MD expense account

Via Motorcycledaily.com

Scott Redding to Ride at Thundersprint 2011

Courtesy of the Thundersprint

Bennetts, the title sponsor of this year’s Thundersprint, are bringing their brand ambassador Scott Redding to race in the quirky “Grand Prix in a Car Park” which will be held in Northwich town centre over the weekend of May 7 and 8.

Scott is currently a hot contender for this year’s Moto 2 Championship and is tipped as one of Britain’s brightest hopes for World Championship success in the future.

Bennetts’ Communications Manager, Michael Mann, said: “Bennetts’ heart and soul is in motorcycling and this is why we take such great pleasure in nurturing future British talent. Scott is an outstanding rider in his generation and is also a thoroughly charming young man.

“Since it seems that every member of Bennetts’ staff is coming to the Thundersprint, either to work or simply just to join in the fun, we felt that we couldn’t leave Scott out of the party – so when he’s not out on the tiny, town centre track you will find him on our stand.”

Scott was just as pleased to be riding in the “Shopping Trolley GP” – so named because the Thundersprint track runs alongside one wall of Northwich’s Marks and Spencer’s store. Scott said: “GP racing is a serious business so it will be great to have a relaxed couple of days. Having a play on the Bennetts’ Yamaha R1, alongside some of the great GP riders from the past, and spending the rest of the weekend with eight gorgeous Bennetts’ Babes, looks like a result to me! Make sure that you come and join me.”

Thundersprint organiser Frank Melling said: “We are really looking forward to having Scott riding with us. He is a fantastic young rider with a great attitude to life and bike racing. He’s going to be a lot of fun to have with us.”


Scott Redding is Britain's best hope for success in the Moto2 Championship and will be attending this year's 2011 Thundersprint event.

Most Friendly Whales In The World

Please STOP the WHALING now!

A famous zoologist and presenter of BBC TV in the studio, Mark Carwardine guided tours for enthusiasts by showing them these majestic animals for twenty-five years. Mark Carwardine said: “This is probably one of the most memorable experiences. Just imagine what it is – watching, like a huge friendly whale approaches the boat of your own accord, looks you straight in the eye, strongly hinting that he wants to communicate.”