Bikeland :: Featured News

Vegas Pays off for Ryan Villopoto in 2013 Supercross Season Closer

Sun, 05 May 2013 00:27:56 -0700

Tomac and Bowers take 250 Wins - Hahn and Roczen take Titles

There’s no SX event like Vegas. The final stop of the Monster Energy Supercross Series is always the odds on favorite for great weather, great fans and intense racing. This year, the ninety-degree event was blessed with cloud-flecked skies and strong breezes.

Sam Boyd Stadium’s infamous hard packed track was well seeded with calcium chloride to preserve what little moisture was added to it by Dirt Wurx technicians. Something was missing in the stadium this year though - the trees. Race courses here actually go outside of the stadium. Our best guess is that a previous (and nasty) Monster Truck race incident took out one of the fifty year old trees lining the course. Stadium management (or their lawyers) apparently decided racing was important enough to cut ‘em all down! Not too many tree huggers in motor racin’?

Bikeland Reviews Alpinestar\'s Scout Boot

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:18:18 -0700

Story by Bikeland Staff
Photography by Mike O'Neill

Riding boot purchases can be a time consuming process. There’s no lack of product to choose from these days. At a minimum, selection decisions include type, style, protection, comfort and price though not necessarily in that order. Choices get easier though when the intended use is well defined.

Top-flight boot makers like Alpinestars and others offer great selections for street, track and motocross. Something for everybody. Unfortunately, Adventure riders have typically had fewer choices but more factors to consider. If you’re a member of this expanding segment you probably already know. Full on MX boots offer great protection but if your rides don’t include three story Supercross jumps, the flexibility, weight, and walking comfort of those multi-buckle monsters are drawbacks. Traditional road boots are fine but if your trip

Interview With MotoGP Rookie Michael Laverty

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:02:33 -0700

Bikeland gives you an exclusive interview by our friends at FreestyleXtreme with '07 BSB Champion and new MotoGP CRT rider Michael Laverty about his move to the premier league of motorcycle racing.

How is life in the MotoGP treating you, Michael?

It's been good, although I'm not sure you get the full MotoGP experience from the Malaysia tests as the paddock is on quite a reduced scale without the Moto 2/3 teams and none of the GP infrastructure. However life inside my team and on track has been really positive. The travel and climate/cultural changes are something that I quite enjoy rather than seeing them as a pain like some do. I've been away from home a lot already, so I miss Jodi and our dog but it's all good, I'm answering these questions with a sea view and sun on my back, no complaints here!

There is a huge amount of fan support behind you this year. We particularly like the ‘open

Who’s going to be the 2013 Supercross Series Champion?

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:12:21 -0800

Bikeland’s armchair quarterbacks offer observations and predictions

With the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross series season on the cusp of its half way point, the high road to the championship crown is wide open. Davi Millsaps continues to amaze all with his near full race points lead. Race watcher theory would say the RockStar Suzuki rider should be at career end this year. Marriage and fatherhood if not father time should have slowed him up the last two years. This is the same Davi Millsaps after all, who used to lose chin up contest bets with his Honda team manager. At Anaheim’s season-opening press day, media interest in Davi was on par with day old sushi from an August picnic. But so far, a leaner, more mature Millsaps has stunned almost everyone, thumbing his nose at assumptions he would soon be just another former racer with a riding school.

With a twenty two points over 2nd place Ryan

A New Lid From Arai: The Defiant

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:14:18 -0800

Arai Helmets previewed their latest offering to the U.S media this week announcing an aggressive new full-face model called the Defiant. Based on the popular RXQ intermediate-oval head shape, the Defiant sports an impressive array of new features and technology which promises to make it a comfortable choice for a variety of conditions.

Urban guerilla graphics, colors and styling are a first for Arai and partly the result of its partnership with Ducati. A traditional, family owned company, Arai required any foray into hip helmets retain its legendary standards for protection and innovation. Rather than create a new model just for market infill however Arai is using the Defiant to introduce new high-end features which will probably be found on more models in the future.

Outwardly the Defiant looks different but it’s still an Arai. Since even the best helmets are worth little if buyers shu

Millsaps Storms to Surprise Victory in Supercross Season Opener

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 00:15:30 -0800

By Jon Row

A massive laser and fireworks shows combined with sub 60 degree temps under cloudless Southern California skies launched Monster Energy’s 2013 Supercross season - a series guaranteed to be entertaining and record setting. Having an unprecedented ten former SX event winners on the 450SX starting line pushed 2013’s Anaheim One into Moto history.

Always unpredictable, and the first of 17 rounds, A-1 marks the end of an insufferably-long off season where the trash talk finally turns to racing reality. Unfortunately some of the reality was James Stewart straining a knee bad enough in practice to sit out the opening ceremonies.

This season brings new riders, new teams and even new series names. The "Supercross" class is now renamed "450SX", and the ludicrously labeled “Supercross Lites” class is now known as “250SX

Supercross 2013 - Ready to lift off or Last Men Standing?

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:37:39 -0800

By Jon Row & Bikeland

The New Year is here and the 2013 SX season is ready to launch. Teams have used the off-season working on additional power, traction and sponsors. Riders are mostly healed, training, practicing and hoping to remain healthy through another 17-race season.

2012 was a year that broke plenty of Supercross series records… and bodies. Five different winners on four different brands thrilled fans and filled seats through the first half of the season. Race by race though, 2012’s top riders were crashed out of contention. By round twelve, Ryan Villopoto‘s stellar, consistent riding in the accident-plagued series left him with almost no challengers. Villopoto and the Monster Kawasaki clinched the crown with five races still left to go. The best odds makers in Vegas couldn’t have predicted such an anti-climatic coup that early in a season.

Villopoto’s Championship celebratio

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bikeland

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 15:17:20 -0800

Time to lay back and relax, and see if Santa brings us some exciting model releases for 2013.

Bikeland checks out the 2012 Long Beach Motorcycle Show

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:34:14 -0800

By Jon Row

The Progressive International Motorcycle Show pulled into Los Angeles (aka Long Beach) Friday with lots of celebs and plenty of eye-popping iron. Bikeland was there to weigh in on the action.

With Southern California being the home base of many OEMs the Long Beach stop usually produces something extra for attendees. This year was no exception. Besides showcasing all the models already announced this year, additional U.S. and world debuts happening here this weekend include:
- BMW’s New F800GT
- Suzuki’s One Millionth Commemorative Edition GSXR
- Indian’s 2013 Final Edition Chief
- A board track racing inspired Triumph Custom Speedmaster
- A new Victory custom bagger
- Yamaha’s New custom Star and a custom built R-1
- Ducati’s new Hypermotard SP, Hyperstrada and Diavel Strada

Once again this years JP Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike

Happy Birthday To Me!

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:08:07 -0800

Bikeland turns 12 today. One last year of being a nice boy before Bikeland becomes a rebellious little scamp. If you get to a pub today order us a Shirley Temple (we're only 12, you gonna start the booze early and stunt our growth into a MotoGP sized man?) and toast yourself for being part of the madness for another year

Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Ducati Reveal New 2013 Models at EICMA

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 16:25:34 -0800

The annual EICMA bike show in Milan saw a number of new model reveals. Aprilia released their RSV4 Factory and R ABS, as well as a new Caponord. Moto Guzzi showed the new California 1400. Ducati added an R model to the 1199 Panigale range, updated their Hypermotard range including a new touring variant, and also added a touring submodel to the Diavel.

Honda jump starts 2013 with six new models

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:01:26 -0800

By Jon Row

American Honda expanded its 2013 line up today with a diverse group of additional new products. While several were expected there were a few definite surprises. Citing a continuing goal to expand the market, Big H headlined this intro with a trio of feature-laden, rider-friendly, liquid cooled, twin cylinder 500cc models. These latest “Value for Money” series will come in Naked, Sport and Adventure versions (F, R and X) each with an aggressive price point a

Chapter 11 for American Suzuki\'s Auto Division - Bikes to Follow?

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 19:51:40 -0800

The Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg today reported that American Suzuki Motor Corp filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Suzuki claims that they are returning to their roots with a focus on their bike and ATV products, so 2 wheeled Suzuki supporters may not need to worry too much. However some convincing may be necessary with disappointed fans enduring a constant stream of bold new graphics (and maybe new brakes) since the financial crisis hit. Riders are left wondering what may become of this once great performance powerhouse.

Yamaha unveils new 2013 FJR1300, updated FZ8

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:59:33 -0700

Yamaha's well regarded FJR1300 gets a heavy work over for 2013, with all new electronics and updated styling the highlights. Also released at Intermot are relatively minor updates to the FZ8.

2013 Yamaha FJR1300

Ducati Releases Details On The 2013 Multistrada

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:46:15 -0700

During Intermot, Ducati released full details on their previously announced new Multistrada lineup.

Ducati says:

2013 DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200
The new Multistrada - Touring meets passion
The 2013 Ducati Multistrada family presents an innovative and technically advanced evolution of an already
award-winning range, now updated with restyled aesthetics, a brand new Granturismo model and the new
Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) system that provides confidence-inspiring, intelligent electronics to
ensure this multi-tasking motorcycle is instantly ready for every road.
The new range, full of owner-inspired improvements, signals the next stage of the Multistrada adventure
with a long list of fascinating and high-tech features that continue the model's reputation for industrychanging
innovation. They include the second generation Testastretta 11° DS engine, the very latest Bosch

Suzuki gives 2013 Hayabusa New Brakes with ABS

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:16:18 -0700

While many 'busa fans were hoping for an answer to the ZX-14R, Suzuki isn't heeding that call this year. However the Hayabusa does get new brakes supplied by Brembo, with ABS now available as well.

Suzuki Australia says:

Suzuki has overhauled one of Australia’s most popular, high-powered sports motorcycles, the Suzuki Hayabusa, now equipped with Brembo front brakes and the first in Suzuki’s sportsbike range to feature an Antilock Brake System (ABS).

Originally introduced in 1999 and consistently tested as the fastest production motorcycle in the world, the iconic Hayabusa redefined the hyper-sport category and in doing so required its own classification – ‘ultimate sport’.

Named after the Japanese bird of prey capable of speeds in excess of 300 km/h, the Suzuki Hayabusa has been designed for maximum performance and represents the pinnacle of sportsbike engineering, performance an

Moto Guzzi renews V7 Range for 2013

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 06:01:30 -0700

Moto Guzzi says:
Over 90 years as Europe’s oldest continuously operating motorcycle manufacturer makes Moto Guzzi’s V7 lineup the most unique among today’s modern retro motorcycles. With an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, unrivaled old school style, and technological progress, every V7 is dashing to the eye and thrilling to the heart.

Today the success of Moto Guzzi is further enriched by renewing the flagship V7 product range; keeping constant the authentic elements and values that have characterized the brand so far:

* Craftsmanship
* Italian spirit
* Legendary heritage
* Originality

The 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 is a completely new bike – leading with a more powerful, faster, smoother 90° V-twin engine. Yet, it is still driven by the cardan shaft drive and supported by the double cradle “Tonti” frame – cornerstones of the V7 tradition, a tr

Ducati preview the release of their 2013 Multistrada models

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:11:14 -0700

Ducati says:

Ducati has given a preview of its highly-anticipated 2013 range by revealing exciting new Multistrada models that introduce new features such as enhanced aesthetics, a second generation Testastretta 11° engine, the very latest ABS and, on the “S” versions, the innovative semi-active suspension system, Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS).

The brand new range, full of owner-inspired improvements, signals the next stage of the Multistrada journey with a longlist of fascinating and high-tech features. It includes the Multistrada 1200 with the associated Riding Mode technologies of Ride-by-Wire (R-b-W) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) in addition to the very latest in ABS, while the Multistrada 1200 S Touring is now equipped with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), R-b-W, DTC and ABS with additional side luggage, heated grips and centre stand. The new touring flagship of the range for

Kawasaki unveils 2013 models: return of the 636, new Ninja 300, ZX-14R gets ABS

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:41:01 -0700

In an unusually bombastic and public fanfare, Kawasaki released their new 2013 models in Times Square, NY today. Although most of the news had already been leaked or released in other markets, we now know officially what 2013 brings for Kawasaki USA. The 636 engine returns to the ZX-6R. It isn't just a new engine however, as pretty much the whole bike gets major updates. Similarly, the smallest Ninja gets a serious workover, highlighted by a bump up to 300cc, also via stroking. On the opposite end of the scale, the biggest Ninja gets the smallest update: the ZX-14R now has ABS available.

2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R / 636

Bikeland rides Honda\'s 2013 NC700X

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:29:22 -0700

A Road Warrior for the New Global Economy

By Jon Row

Manufacturers often have highly ambitious goals for new models, especially “New Concept” designs. Honda, a leader in new concepts, knows well the risks and rewards of bringing unique products to market. Think DN01 vs. CBR250R. Taking risks with new motorcycle designs is ever more challenging in today’s embattled world economy. As one of several manufacturers able to effectively share motorcycle and automobile technology on “world platforms”, Honda’s in a position to influence the industry globally. Honda management apparently is convinced that certain big bike categories for developed countries are too expensive. Not too expensive for what they are but for what the markets can bear. Markets historically hooked on steady streams of uber priced performance and bling. More opportunities exist now for OEMs to create value with th