Motorcycle Digest

Honda announces pricing for key new 2011 models

American Honda has announced pricing on two significant 2011 models, its CBR250R and CB1000R.

The CB1000R naked cycle will sell for $10,999, according to a press release from the company. It features a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected inline four-cylinder 998cc powerplant.

The standard CBR250R will be priced at $3,999, while the ABS version will cost $4,499. The CBR250R sport bike has a newly designed 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine with a four-valve DOHC cylinder head and fuel injection. Both models will be available at dealerships in the spring.

Ducati, auto manufacturer partner on projects

Ducati and auto manufacturer AMG will partner on future common marketing activities, the two companies announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The co-marketing plans include AMG supporting the Ducati MotoGP Team as the brand’s official car partner in 2011. Also, during select AMG events, participants will be able to test ride Ducati bikes and Ducati customers will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with AMG’s cars, a press release stated.

“In AMG we have found a partner who perfectly reflects our brand values of high performance, motorsports, excitement and our sense of unmistakable style and design,” Gabriele del Torchio, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, said in a press release.

AMG, founded in 1967, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG.

Small motorcycle OEM reporting improved sales

Motorcycle manufacturer Ural is reporting its best retail sales in four years.

The Russian manufacturer, in a newsletter, said its recent October sales were the highest for that particular month since 2006.

“Overall we are looking at a 30-plus percent boost in sales,” the company reports.

Ural said its two-wheel drive models continue to make up the majority of its sales but its T-series bikes are becoming the second-largest seller.

The company’s demographic continues to get younger, as now every sixth customer is 35 years old or younger.

Nine inducted into Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Nine motorcycling legends recently were inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas during the American Motorcyclist Association Legends & Champions Weekend.

The class of 2010 included: legendary two-stroke engine tuner Eyvind Boyesen, dirt-track racer Don Castro, sidecar roadracing champion Larry Coleman, off-road rights activist Clark Collins, AMA 250cc road-race champion David Emde, competition apparel pioneers and JT Racing founders John and Rita Gregory, desert racing champion and team manager Bruce Ogilvie, and championship team owner and Pro Circuit founder Mitch Payton. Each was honored with a place in the Hall of Fame, a video chronicling their careers, an induction speech and a ring.

Bob “Hurricane” Hannah was also recognized as a Motorcycle Hall of Fame legend. Hannah, a seven-time AMA National Champion, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. The Hall of Fame ceremony was hosted by actor and motorcyclist Peter King.

Triumph brings its tiger, other models to the IMS

Triumph Motorcycles is returning to the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows nationwide series.

The first stop for Triumph was scheduled to be the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, Calif., on Dec. 17-19. Triumph was slated to unveil its largest new product lineup in the company’s 109-year history at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show.

“The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows are a great way to share our new products with customers across the country, and Triumph is looking forward to introducing some exciting new models including the Tiger 800 and Tiger 800XC adventure bikes, three new cruiser motorcycles, and the all-new Speed Triple and premium Daytona 675R sport bikes in Long Beach,” said CEO of Triumph North America Greg Heichelbech.

In addition to the Long Beach show, Triumph Motorcycles also is scheduled to exhibit at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in New York, Jan. 21-23; in Cleveland, Jan. 28-30; and in Rosemont, Ill., Feb. 11-13.

MRP adds all United Motors of America manuals

MRP has added all United Motors of America repair and parts manuals to the dealer support section of its website, the company announced.

Dealers can use the manuals to look up parts for all 40 models previously imported by United Motors of America.

“Our intent is to provide dealers with an online source of OEM PDF files they can use to order the correct OEM parts from MRP and to have a resource for legitimate brands that left the market,” MRP Sales Manager Kerwin Vega said in a release.

All manuals available on MRP’s website can be accessed at www.martinracingdealer.com/ WSWrapper.jsp?mypage=Manuals.htm.

Consumer feedback results in additional diavel color option

In response to feedback from motorcycle show visitors, Ducati has announced the addition of a diamond black color scheme for the new 2011 Ducati Diavel. With the Diavel receiving consumer attention at motorcycle shows around the globe, Ducati collected feedback from passionate motorcyclists viewing the bike for the first time. The new diamond black color option is the result of response to customer demand.

While the Diavel Carbon was appreciated alongside the Diavel in traditional Ducati Red, the black livery replaces the originally presented white offering. The new black scheme also will be further enhanced with a black anodized headlamp body and lateral air intakes — parts, which will also appear on the red Diavel.

The new black diamond color already has been incorporated into production plans and will be available alongside the entire Diavel range this February at authorized Ducati dealerships.

New motocross track being built in Ohio

A new American Motorcyclist Association-sanctioned motocross track is being built in Ross County in Ohio, according to a published report.

The track is expected to open in 2011, with two AMA-sanctioned races scheduled for the same year. Ross County is located in south central Ohio.

“The race dates are set,” Chris Scott, the voice of the events at the new track, told the Chillicothe Gazette. “May 14 and 15, and then July 9 and 10. This is a big deal for motocross in this area, and it’s going to give riders and fans a new place in the Midwest that’s going to be top of the line.”

The track will be located adjacent to the Ross County Fairgrounds off Ohio 207. Because of its proximity to the fairgrounds, it will have access to camping, utilities and WiFi Internet service. The track will be specific to motocross and will sit in AMA District 11, which includes 44 counties in Ohio, Scott said.

Honda Contingency Program for 2011 announced

American Honda has announced a new round of race contingency for 2011.

For the upcoming racing season, the Red Rider Rewards program is doubling the number of events eligible for payouts. This gives Honda customers an opportunity to win money at more than 700 race events.

Winnings will be issued through the HRCA Red Rider Rewards Card and can be used anywhere that Visa is accepted.

Administered by the Honda Riders Club of America, the rewards program supports racers all across the United States during the 2011 race season. Model-year 2009 and newer machines are eligible for the program. For more information about American Honda’s Red Rider Rewards program visit powersports.honda.com /racing/contingency.aspx

MX Sports Pro Racing Releases 2011 Motocross Schedule

MX Sports Pro Racing has announced its 2011 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship schedule.

The 2011 American Motocross schedule will consist of 12 rounds, with locations from California to New England. The series includes motocross riders from across the globe.

The 2011 season kicks off on Saturday, May 21, with the Hangtown Motocross Classic, which is held at the Prairie City Off-Highway Vehicle Park in Sacramento, Calif. The series will once again travel the country and conclude on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Pala Raceway, which is just north of San Diego.

“We’re fortunate to boast the best motocross facilities in the world in the Lucas Oil Motocross Championship,” said MX Sports Vice President Davey Coombs. “Several of our tracks have hosted national events for nearly four decades, including such legendary race tracks as RedBud, Unadilla, High Point and more, while our newer facilities present the vision of the future for American Motocross. The 2011 season, which will be the 40th year of this tour, is going to be another epic chapter in American Motocross.

“We have also been exploring several new facilities in the Southeast,” added Coombs. “The area is one of the most popular regions of the country for off-road motorcycles, and it is the hope of MX Sports that we will be able to announce a new addition to the schedule for 2012.”

Provider of bike history reports announces partnership

Sparta Commercial Services Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Specialty Reports, Inc. DBA Cyclechex, an exclusive provider of online motorcycle history reports, announced it has entered into an agreement with IronPlanet, an online marketplace for used equipment and vehicles, to provide active mutual support for each other’s websites and business activities.

Cyclechex is the initial online product offering from Specialty Reports Inc. IronPlanet is a leading online auction company for used construction and agricultural equipment. Recently, IronPlanet added a range of automobiles, powersports and motorcycles to its online marketplace.

Management at both IronPlanet and Cyclechex believe that the addition of Cyclechex Motorcycle History Reports for the motorcycle segment of the auction website will enable buyers to bid with an even higher level of confidence.

Commenting on the new relationship, Anthony Havens, CEO of both Sparta and Specialty Reports, said, “Our arrangement with IronPlanet is exactly what Cyclechex is looking for as we reach out to an increasing variety of companies who are quickly recognizing the value of a Cyclechex history report as a true enhancement to their sales activities.” PSB