Aug. 10, 2009 – Motorcycle Digest
Honda’s 2010 lineup features new CRF250R engine
Topping the list of news regarding Honda’s recently announced 2010 lineup is its CRF250R motocrosser.
The CRF250R boasts a new, more powerful, more compact engine with electronic fuel injection and an all-new twin-spar aluminum frame with the Honda Progressive Steering Damper. The competition-ready package will be available in red and in dealerships in September. (MSRP: $7,199.)
Honda will be offering a lineup of Honda Genuine Accessories developed by HRC for the CRF250R and CRF450R. The HRC-branded line will include both functional and cosmetic accessories. More information will be available later this summer.
Honda also said its 2010 Gold Wing will feature luxury package options, including GPS navigation, airbag, cold-weather comfort and XM Radio with NavTraffic and NavWeather. For 2010, new Gold Wing colors will include metallic red and metallic black. The 2010 Gold Wings will be available at dealerships in September. (MSRP: $22,899–$27,999)
Unique hybrid scooter released by Piaggio
Piaggio SpA launched the first-ever hybrid electric-and-petrol scooter in Rome, the company reported. The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid will be released across Europe by August. The vehicle is planned to be released in the United States by 2010.
This is the first vehicle in the automotive sector using lithium ion batteries, which also can be charged from the mains, stated the company in the release. The battery charges while riding in the petrol mode. The scooter also can be plugged into normal house electricity sockets and is fully recharged in three hours.
MotoCorsa sets record for number of Ducati units sold
Ducati North America has announced the success of Portland’s MotoCorsa dealership as one of this year’s largest volume Ducati dealers, selling 61 bikes in June alone. The dealership beat its own previous record for most Ducatis sold in a single month.
Going against the grain of the current economic landscape, MotoCorsa launched an initiative set out to beat the current sales record of 50, set in 2007 by MotoCorsa. “Progetto 51” began in early June with a mission to sell 51 Ducati motorcycles in the month. Not only did the dealership achieve its original goal, but surpassed the target by 20 percent, in the face of a struggling Portland economy, which has the second highest unemployment rate in the country.
“The program really turned into a community effort as MotoCorsa employees and local Ducatisti helped the program along by purchasing bikes and even trading up for newer model year Ducatis,” said Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America. “We congratulate MotoCorsa on its record sales month and appreciate Portland’s Ducatisti and their passion for the brand.”
Pushing MotoCorsa to the record bike number 61 was local resident Ryan Dalling, a regular MotoCorsa customer who traded in his 2008 Ducati 848 and purchased a new 2009 Multistrada S so he could enjoy touring with his wife while retaining Ducati’s performance.
“We closed out the month with 61 new Ducatis,” said Arun Sharma, general manager of MotoCorsa. “This is a feat we could have never accomplished without the dedication and enthusiasm of the entire MotoCorsa family, both staff and customers alike.”
Yamaha patents diesel-powered bike
Yamaha filed a patent application to develop a turbo-diesel motorcycle, according to reports from heallforleather.com and Wheels24.com.za.
The application from the European Patent Office covers various technological developments, including an in-line four-cylinder inter-cooled turbo-diesel engine, Wheels24.com.za sited.
Yamaha, however, has not revealed any plans thus far to build a diesel-powered bike.
Aprilia to launch mid-sized sports bikes by 2012
Piaggio Chairman Roberto Colaninno discussed the company’s plans for the next three years, including Aprilia’s intentions to develop numerous middleweight sport bikes, according to Visordown News.
He said the company will focus on accentuating the different brand name missions of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Derbi. In the United States, Piaggio plans to work on the growth of different brand names, along with the development of sport bikes with mid-sized engines.
BMW announces pricing for sport bike S 1000 RR
BMW Motorcycle USA released the pricing for its S 1000 RR sport bike that’s expected to reach the United States in December. The MSRP is $13,800, according to a company press release.
There is currently a pre-sale program for customers who want one, so they can secure themselves a place in line when the bike arrives.
There is a lot of interest in the new bike, says Todd Andersen, marketing manager for BMW Motorcycle USA.
“The S 1000 RR represents an entirely new dimension for BMW Motorcycle and the sport bike segment,” he said in the release. “At this price, we expect a significant number of customers to take advantage of our pre-sale program. In fact, all of our first month’s production has already been sold through this program.”
Lehman Trikes, Road Dog Trailers start partnership
Lehman Trikes USA Inc., a leading manufacturer of motorcycle trike conversions, and Road Dog Trailers announced a partnership with the availability of a new touring trailer specifically engineered for trikes.
The Drifter, a low, wide body touring trailer, features a 23 cubic foot capacity storage area, Road Dog’s Pivot Point Torsion Suspension, and aerodynamic design. It comes standard with an abundance of options, including color-match factory paint, full fiberglass construction, aluminum wheels and L.E.D. lighting.
Lehman Trikes began the relationship with Road Dog Trailers last summer and has worked closely with Road Dog on the design for the touring trailer. “We are very excited to partner with Road Dog Trailers and offer this excellent product,” said Ken Hines, executive vice president of Lehman Trikes, “we feel that the Drifter will be an integral part of the touring experience for our customers and a value-added product for our dealer network.”
The Drifter will be available only through authorized Lehman Trikes dealers and features a one-year warranty.
Husqvarna reveals 2010 pricing
Husqvarna has released pricing for its 2010 Husqvarna Cross Country, Enduro, Motocross and Supermoto model line-ups.
According to the company, upgrades for 2010 include 48mm Kayaba forks across the line; stronger, more flexible plastic; stronger/lighter front and rear wheel hubs; and a variety of model-specific changes for the two-stroke and four-stroke platforms.
Complete pricing is as follows:
Husaberg names new customer service technician
Husaberg North America has added accomplished technician Charles Jirsa to its customer service team.
Jirsa began his career as a professional race technician in 2005 where he worked with veteran rider Ty Davis.
“My passion has always been racing. I raced a lot growing up and always enjoyed working on the machines and meeting new people at each event,” Jirsa said. “I jumped at the chance to join the Husaberg team as it allows me to still be close to the racing scene while directly helping the dealers and customers that are riding the Husaberg product each day.”
Jirsa will join Husaberg as the company’s main Customer Service Technician.
“We are excited to have Charles join our team,”?Husaberg National Sales Manager Clay Stuckey said. “He is a dedicated and hard working employee that will be a benefit to the Husaberg dealers and customers.”
New Accessories available for Big Dog Motorcycles’ Bulldog
Big Dog Motorcycles, a manufacturer of high performance, high style motorcycles, has launched a full line of BDM Performance Products for its Bulldog model.
The new bagger motorcycle, which comes standard with several touring features, including a fastback seat, driver and passenger floorboards, locking dual hard bags, and a fully functional fairing, can now get additional comfort, storage, performance, and style with new accessories.
“By providing space for extra gear while amplifying the bike’s already exceptional comfort, our factory-engineered BDM Performance Products can also add more style, making every Bulldog an individual masterpiece,” Chris Theobald, Big Dog’s accessories manager, said in a press release.
The products include the Mustang two-up seat (MSRP $749.95). The seat, which is wider and taller than the motorcycle’s fastback seat, is manufactured with unique internal steel support wings to provide maximum support with no sagging. The removable driver backrest accommodates any rider with an adjustable height and angle. Add the Passenger Backrest with Pad (MSRP $475) for comfort for both travelers.
Viper Motorcycle adds to management team
Viper Motorcycle Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Viper Powersports Inc., announced that Andrew Broadley has joined the Viper team as full-time technical director and operations manager.
John Silseth, CEO of Viper Powersports, added, “Terry Nesbitt returned to our team full-time as president in December. Terry has been involved in the project since 2001 as vice president of sales/marketing and president and brings more than 30 years of industry experience. Terry was also a previous national sales manager of Polaris and Victory Motorcycles.” psb
