Ducati plans party for Pikes Peak motorcycle event

Ducati is inviting riders to put the Italian motorcycle manufacturer down on the motorcycle calendar for a ‘Race to the Clouds’.

This year Pikes Peak International Hill Climb celebrates its 90^th run in Colorado Springs on July 8th, 2012.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is the second oldest motor sports race in America and a long-standing tradition in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.

First competed in 1916, this year marks the 90th running of the "Race to the Clouds."

New head for BMW's motorcycle design studio

BMW Group's BMW Motorrad Design Studio will be led by Edgar Heinrich, 53, as of July 1st 2012, taking the place of David Robb.

No stranger to the saddle, after completing his university degree in design, Edgar Heinrich started his career as a motorcycle designer with BMW back in 1986. Within the BMW Group’s BMW Motorrad Design Studio he was Head of Vehicle Design Motorcycles under the overall direction of David Robb from 2007 to 2009.

With motorcycle manufacturers eye towards truly international markets, its not hard to see why BMW may have chosen Heinrich. In July 2009 his career took him to India. As Vice President Product Design with the Indian vehicle manufacturer Bajaj Auto LTD he currently heads up the styling and model studio, responsible for brand definition and brand strategies for two-wheel and four-wheel design.

During his time with BMW Motorrad, Edgar Heinrich was responsible for such vehicles as the first 4-valve boxer models R 1100 RS and RT, the K 1200 S and R, the HP Megamoto and the victorious Paris-Dakar racing machines. The successful R 1150 GS and R 1200 GS were also created on his drawing board.

Riding at 188mph may get motorcyclist two years

The case of a speeding motorcyclist that has taken four years to come to a verdict could well take up to two more years of the guilty rider’s life.

A motorcyclist whose speeds reached 188 mph during a chase by troopers in Iowa was found guilty this week for his high speed antics in August 2009.

James Foldenauer of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who was found guilty Wednesday of traveling at excessive speed and eluding a police officer may spend two years in prison after he is sentenced March 8.

The incident took place on Interstate 29 near Missouri Valley, Iowa. Although the speed limit was 70 mph he and another motorcyclist were clocked at 89 mph in a construction zone. According to State Patrol officials the other rider, a woman, stopped when asked to pull over.

Harley's new softail motorcycle, skinny and basic

Pick your favorite or most well-known dieting company, throw in a cruiser and you could have the focus of Harley-Davidson’s latest motorcycle.

Pare down a Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycle to its essential elements and you have the Slim. From its trimmed front fender to its narrow rear end, Slim is a no-nonsense, back-to-basics motorcycle. Call it stripped. Call it old school. Call it lean and mean. What's left is the elemental Softail profile and iconic Harley-Davidson style that recalls classic custom bobbers of the 1950s.

"It's time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle," says Harley-Davidson Senior Designer Casey Ketterhagen, "so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check. Scale down the rear with a narrow tire and chopped fender and the heart of the bike, the motor, once again becomes the focus. We left a gap between the nose of the seat and tank so the rider can see the top of the motor. I like to be able to look down and see what's moving me."

Harley-Davidson's retro inspiration for new motorcycle

One of two new models released by Harley-Davidson may have riders growing out their sideburns and throwing the peace sign to fellow travelers.

The Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two motorcycle is a metal flake dream machine, a Sportster on a trip back to the days when the cool kids rode a Sting-Ray and the big boys parked choppers in a row on the curb.

Ducati enjoys record motorcycle sales

Both the industry and motorcycle manufacturers themselves are reporting improved, if not record sales. Ducati seems to be more than happy to ride in the front of that popular pack.

Ducati North America said it enjoyed 2011 motorcycle sales growth of 43 percent compared to 2010 and a record market share in all of its territories: US, Canada and Mexico. This result established North America as Ducati’s number one market for the first time ever.

Ducati Performance line of apparel and accessories also recorded significant growth with a 50 percent annual increase.

States need motorcycle helmet laws study says

The states with the safest roads tend to have the strongest traffic safety laws according to a recently released study.

While many riders may long to live in the states with the safest roads, it comes at a price for some such a mandatory motorcycle helmet laws.

It was the ninth annual report released by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the 2012 Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws gives report card grading all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their performance when it comes to adopting 15 basic traffic safety laws.

This year the report focuses on the state fiscal impact of highway safety gaps.

Jury deals with motorcycle accidents and manhood

Motorcycles and sex are often thrown together in marketing and everyday marketing. But it was the darker side of that combination that earned a rider $7.5 million in a recent court case.

A former sailor and at the time, newlywed, won the staggering damages over a car crash in California that shortened his penis by an inch and a half. The accident occurred in 2007 when Matthew Wall , 27, was riding his motorcycle to work at the US Navy submarine base in San Diego when he was struck by a shuttle bus from a nearby car showroom.

The circumstances will sound gravely familiar to riders with any time in the saddle. The jury heard that the van turned left in front of Wall who was unable to avoid the collision.

Remanufacturing program brings new life to old motorcycles

It could be considered cause for a new motorcycle saying, ‘Harleys don’t get old they just get faster!’

An announcement from the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer notes that new services have been added to the Engine Remanufacturing Program offered by Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories.

The Twin Cam 96, Twin Cam 103 and 2003-06 CVO Twin Cam 103 have recently been added to the “Reman” program that restores Harley-Davidson engines to factory specifications. All 1999-06 Twin Cam Engines will be upgraded with Screamin’ Eagle Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner and Oil Pump Kit.

This offer excludes ‘06 Dyna models.

Ducati makes motorcycle appearance in upcoming action movie

Fans of Ducati motorcycles have an action flick to add to their movie list.

Arriving in theaters on January 20^th, what’s being called a ‘dynamic action-thriller’ is the latest from director Steven Soderbergh (Contagion).

The movie boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum (GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra), Ewan McGregor (The Ghost Writer), Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro), Bill Paxton (“Big Love”), Michael Douglas (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps), Michael Angarano (Almost Famous) and the womand soon to ride into biker’s hearts everywhere, mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane.

In a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts she is also seen in the saddle of a Ducati Monster 696.