Motorcycles auto news

Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept is what two-wheel dreams are made of

We don't envy the designers who pen bikes for the likes of Triumph or Harley-Davidson. Machines like the Bonneville and Sportster are inherently popular for their nostalgic looks, and die-hard fans are the first to cry foul when the bikes wander too far from the original recipe. As the Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept elegantly illustrates, that's a crying shame. As the brainchild of English designers Roy Norton and Tom Kasher, the Speed Twin is a modern take on the classic Bonneville. The two started with a Bonnie as a base platform and proceeded to update the machine's aesthetics accordingly.

The conceit began with the simple notion of what the Bonneville could have evolved into were it not so saddled with the nostalgia millstone. The two contacted Triumph while working for a design studio shortly after college, and Triumph Product Manager Simon Warburton gave the concept the go-ahead. The result is what you see here.

The concept uses a heavily modified Bonneville frame in conjunction with muscular-looking girder forks. Barbour cloth covers both the seats and the grips. With an 865cc engine, Thruxton brakes and unique gauges and levers, the Speed Twin is distilled awesome. Warburton is apparently pleased with the final result as well, and says some of the elements may make their way to future Triumph models. Head over to BikeExif for the full story.

Video: If at first you don't succeed crashing through a store...

If you've ever wondered what keeps small-business owners up at night, allow us to direct your attention to the video after the jump.

From what we can gather, the driver in the black sedan got into a fender bender in a parking lot outside of a motorcycle speed shop. Worried about what the long-arm of the law would have to say about the collision, the driver then proceeded to attempt to make a speedy getaway. Rather than throwing the vehicle in reverse, however, the operator opted for drive, sending the vehicle careening through the front glass, though untold merchandise and into the back wall. Then the driver does something a bit odd.

Rather than throwing in the towel, they go for the old wash-rinse-repeat by backing up, gathering speed and ramming the rear wall. Over and over. As far as we can tell, no one was seriously injured in the spectacle. We wish we could say the same for the bike on the showroom floor. Hit the jump to see the video, just skip ahead to 1:30 to save yourself some waiting.

Continue reading If at first you don't succeed crashing through a store...

Triumph Bonnevile Speed Twin Concept is what two-wheel dreams are made of

We don't envy the designers who pen bikes for the likes of Triumph or Harley-Davidson. Machines like the Bonneville and Sportster are inherently popular for their nostalgic looks, and die-hard fans are the first to cry foul when the bikes wander too far from the original recipe. As the Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept elegantly illustrates, that's a crying shame. As the brainchild of English designers Roy Norton and Tom Kasher, the Speed Twin is a modern take on the classic Bonneville. The two started with a Bonnie as a base platform and proceeded to update the machine's aesthetics accordingly.

The conceit began with the simple notion of what the Bonneville could have evolved into were it not so saddled with the nostalgia millstone. The two contacted Triumph while working for a design studio shortly after college, and Triumph Product Manager Simon Warburton gave the concept the go-ahead. The result is what you see here.

The concept uses a heavily modified Bonneville frame in conjunction with muscular-looking girder forks. Barbour cloth covers both the seats and the grips. With an 865cc engine, Thruxton brakes and unique gauges and levers, the Speed Twin is distilled awesome. Warburton is apparently pleased with the final result as well, and says some of the elements may make their way to future Triumph models. Head over to BikeExif for the full story.

Official: Ducati heading back to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2012 [w/video]

Ducati has announced that it will be back at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in July. The company will once again partner with the Spider Grips team using Multistrada 1200 machines. The Multistrada is the same bike that propelled Ducati to first and third place last year. Privateer Carlin Dunne took home a slew of titles when he conquered the mountain in 11:11.32, setting a new record for motorcycles in the process. He'll be back this year alongside Greg Tracy, a six-time Pikes Peak winner. In 2010, Tracy took the top win on the mountain astride a Multistrada of his own.

To celebrate the brand's return, Ducati is inviting fans and owners to join the team in Colorado in July for a gathering that should include plenty of riding along some of the state's more impressive scenery before attending the race. Sounds like a very good time to us. Head over to the Ducati site for more information.

July is still a long way off, so Ducati has been kind enough to show off a short recap film of the brand's 2011 season. Hit the jump to check out the clip as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Ducati heading back to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for 2012 [w/video]

Report: Harley-Davidson sales grew 5.9% in 2011

Last year was a good one for Harley-Davidson. According to Asphalt and Rubber, the American bike manufacturer saw its sales increase by 5.9 percent globally compared to 2010. Sales in the U.S., meanwhile, were up 5.8 percent. All told, Harley-Davidson managed to move 235,188 units last year, with 151,683 of those heading to owners in the States. Those figures mean the manufacturer managed to post a net income of $105.6 million last year. By contrast, during the fourth quarter of 2010 the company saw a net loss of $46.7 million.

The global recession hadn't been kind to the company. With a model line designed to cater to the wealthy and their lust for toys, Harley-Davidson suddenly saw itself posting yearly losses. Those at the helm sold off MV Agusta and pulled the plug on Buell all together in an effort to keep Harley-Davidson up right.

Those moves seem to have helped. The company posted $4.6 billion in revenue last year, which marks an increase of 11.6 percent over 2010.

Video: AMG takes us behind the scenes of Ducati photo shoot

Mercedes-Benz has cobbled together a behind-the-scenes video chronicling a photo shoot with two stars: the 451-horseepower C63 AMG Coupe and a Ducati 848 in matching white. Deviating from the behind-the-scenes template, this one is more like a series of rushes set to music. In addition to the mechanical eye candy, a pair of models feature prominently (as suggested by the screencap above). The action takes place on an Iberian runway, and you'll find it after the jump.

Continue reading AMG takes us behind the scenes of Ducati photo shoot

Video: Enjoy some Supermoto action from every angle in Denmark

We've seen a swell in RoToR camera set ups in bike videos lately, and we have to say the trick makes for some pretty entertaining viewing. Take the clip you'll see after the break that was worked up by Supermotard Denmark, for example. The video tracks one rider as he finishes up a practice day. The crew crafted their own homemade version of the RoToR setup we know and love, strapped it to a rider's head and came out with some awesome footage. There's plenty of peg-scraping glory as the rider works his way through the tight and technical course.

As much as we dig watching the rider kick the machine's tail out, we're equally smitten with the video's soundtrack. Hit the jump to enjoy the antics for yourself. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have some supermoto classifieds to peruse.

Continue reading Enjoy some Supermoto action from every angle in Denmark

Video: Watch as a motorcycle rides on top of the world

It takes guts to ride a motocross bike. Tuned practically to the point of blowing themselves to bits, every pound stripped away so that only the bare necessities are left and sitting on top of a foot-plus of suspension travel, it takes a deft hand to tame these race machines.

Which makes the feat you'll see in the video after the break all the more amazing. It's one thing to strap on your gear and head out to the relatively safe confines of an off-road track. It's something completely else to ride a singletrack trail at the top of a mountain ridgeline.

Judging from the perspective of the rider, which is where the camera has been thoughtfully mounted, a single mistake could send this daredevil plummeting to the ground, where serious injury or even death seem inevitable. And yet there seems to be no tension whatsoever from the rider. We've got to say, we're impressed. See what we're talking about after the break.

Continue reading Watch as a motorcycle rides on top of the world

Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Sale sees big numbers for vintage bikes

Bonhams wrapped up an impressive motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, and some very pricey metal rolled across the block. While seriously expensive bikes like the 1955 Vincent Black Prince pictured above and a 1915 Harley-Davidson 11-F Twin failed to bring home enough cash to find new owners, the 1953 Vincent Black Shadow to the right brought home well north of its early bid estimates. A new owner laid down a hefty $122,500 for the pleasure of ownership. Likewise, one very sparse-looking 1907 Indian Camelback went for $67,860.

We took the time to pick through the auction's offerings to show off some of the more interesting bikes to roll across the stage in Las Vegas. You can check out the gallery for our personal faves or click over to the Bonhams site for more information on specific lots. The auction featured plenty of memorabilia in addition to full bikes.

Video: Motorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle 2 debuts, someone called the cops

We all know sideways is slow. Kicking the tail out and sending the rear tires blazing may take a heaping helping of skill, but it won't win you any races. That doesn't make it any less awesome, however.

Icon has gone through the trouble of crafting yet another drift battle between motorcycle and car, and this time, two specially built Triumph Speed Triple bikes throw down against a 550-horsepower Ford Mustang Cobra piloted by a fictional officer of the law. The trio commence tearing through the rolling hills of mythical High Plains County before facing off.

Admittedly, the drift scene isn't typically our bag of tricks, but this is one of the more entertaining videos we've seen in a good while. Between the bark of the FoMoCo V8 and the wail of the big-bore Triumph Triples, there's enough audio glory on hand to keep us up at night. Throw in some excellent tunes and better videography, and you've got us hooked. Watch the video all the way through to the end for some hair-raising outtakes, including at least one roll over. Hit the jump to check it out.

Continue reading Motorcycle vs. Car Drift Battle 2 debuts, someone called the cops