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Okay I know this is an ad – and so I wasn’t expecting much – but it’s really pretty cool. I am at least 50% more likely to buy Icon gear now. Thanks a lot.

When the front end comes up on my bike, my reaction is “get back down there yer pesky thang!” But I really admire those who have the opposite reaction and decide to go sit on the tank…backwards. Or something.

Check out some cool stunt action in our own backyard in LIC: we don’t have a lot of nice roads for riding – but we do have a bit of cool looking urban blight kept pristine for the film studios nearby. Cheers!

So GR fans and blogophiles already know that Ghost Rider’s Turbo charged 500hp Busa is being given away to a lucky winner… it brings us to ask, why put a turbo on a 200mph motorcycle? The answer has something to do with pleading insanity, this video, and the joys of a 250 mph motorcycle… Would this make a good city bike? Probably not. But like giraffes and zebras in the wild, it’s nice to know that they exist somewhere… Get a cockpit view of a turbo busa after the jump… Continue Reading »

It’s amazing what difference a year makes. Even just last year it was hard to comment anything about Stoner without bringing out the critics… But now that he’s been kicking butt with Honda, EVERYONE is a fan. Click over to check out the interview where he answers fan questions from twitter…  Raise your hand if you hear him making remarks about Rossi…hmm, hard to tell.

Liter bike engineers have been tearing it up these past few years: v-4 in the Aprilia, the crossplane crank in the R1, the monster powered BMW 1000RR with the most hp of any production motorcycle, and the Ninja ZX1000 with its new traction control and engine management… Then there’s the humble CBR. Often the fastest bikes at tracks across the country: but not really doing great in production class racing… It’s the least changed of all the bikes out there. Every year brings a tiny improvement, but there’s no radical electronics package, no traction control, no mega-horsepower. Instead you get something that’s fast and rideable. The thing I like about CBR’s is: anyone can ride them…

I like the sound of this new rear suspension, and the SHOWA big piston forks up front are a welcome addition… I think the 600rr also got the new forks, but I don’t know about the rear: but the 600’s did get…a new paintjob. Which actually looks pretty cool (I think). Take a look at the promo after the jump.
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Ferrari’s do it.  Two stroke engines sometimes do it.  And four stroke motorcycle engines can do it too.  I don’t understand exactly why, but I’m told that the blue flame indicates that the engine is running lean (not rich like I’d assume), making the exhaust hot enough to ignite the unspent gases.  All I know is I LIKE the way it looks! It’s one thing to pass cars on the road… it’s another thing to spit flames while you’re doing it.

I’m also told that running an engine like this will cause premature wear: so if your bike is spitting flames, then you probably need to jet your carbs or adjust your fuel injection settings.  Good to know…

If you’re wondering, “hmm do I actually need a radar detector on my bike?”  The answer is “no” – move on…you need to pay attention to the road, and save the speed for the track.

But…if for whatever reason (maybe the police are being used as revenue agents in your town) you’re going to do it anyway, and you have (or plan to buy) a Valentine 1 radar detector, then here’s a simple DIY option that works with the V1 and sportbikes…  And with a little adjustment can work with other radar detectors as well… Continue Reading »

Like clockwork, the International Motorcycle Show arrives in New York’s Javits center on the coldest days of January!  Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it this year because of prior engagements – so you’ll have to go in my place and let me know what you see.  It’s always a good time to get out of the cold, and sit on a whole mess of bikes, take pictures, and eat overpriced snacks from the vendors toward the back.

Remember to buy your tickets online (here) and print them out in advance rather than waiting on the long line at Javits.  Also, you can EM3OFF ($3 off), or EM2, or or also PAULJR. Cheers!

You know the type, the guy (or gal) who doesn’t ride, but is planning to buy a bike and take the MSF (usually in that order); and says that a 250 isn’t good enough… “How come?” you ask. And their answers usually sound something like these… Continue Reading »

We’ve had some fine riding weather this winter in NY, but it’s still not good enough for track days or hard riding.  So if you’re getting antsy for a little racing action – someone should open up a warehouse in LIC or Dumbo…