Asphalt & Rubber » Asphalt & Rubber

Update on the Bottpower BOTT XR-1

Jensen Beeler — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:15:15 +0000

It is sad to say, but the Harley-Davidson XR1200X is just about the only thing from the Milwaukee brand that intrigues me. And what kills me the most is that Harley-Davidson could really add something more to its product line up if it just explored the flat-tracker aesthetic in greater detail with its brand. Instead of bringing to market twenty or so variations on the same cruiser shape, Harley-Davidson could really bolster its brand with ...

HRC Makes the Comparison: Stoner vs. Rossi

Jensen Beeler — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:17:22 +0000

It may still be the pre-season, but the banter regarding MotoGP on Twitter is certainly getting us ready for the start of the 2012 MotoGP Championship. Sending out a simple infographic this morning with the message, “this picture says it all,” HRC’s official Twitter account posted some interesting statistics that compared Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner to Ducati Corse’s Valentino Rossi. Breaking down Stoner’s win percentage over the past five years, the results of course ...

American Suzuki Expects 9.8% Sales Decrease for Fiscal Year

Jensen Beeler — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:18:33 +0000

You know when a company starts quoting sales figures “in the last nine months of the year…” that the numbers from the first three months that they are not mentioning have to be pretty bad. Such is the case with American Suzuki, though the company’s overall performance continues to flounder in the this economy. In Suzuki’s fiscal nine-month period (April 2011 to December 2011), sales to North American dealers were up 160%, as wholesale unit ...

14 Photos of the 2012 World Superbike Spec Aprilia RSV4

Jensen Beeler — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:23:07 +0000

Aprilia was in Milan today, unveiling its 2012 World Superbike team with Max Biaggi and Eugene Laverty. For this season, Aprilia Racing is outfitting its RSV4 race bikes with the company’s classic black & red livery, a break from the white Alitalia paint scheme from last year. Unable to defend his #1 plate, the 40-year-old Max Biaggi will return to racing with his “3″ on the front of his RSV4. Eager to regain World Superbike’s top ...

Video: Julien Dupont & Arthur Coutard Go Au Naturel

Jensen Beeler — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:43:15 +0000

Julien Dupont blah blah blah Arthur Coutard blah blah blah trials, awesome, BBQ sauce. Yes, that crazy French trials rider-turned-urban stunt monsieur is at it again, this time with hetro-life partner Arthur Coutard at his side in the French Alps. Continuing his “Ride the World” video series, Dupont & Co. haven’t picked a city for this adventure this time, instead choosing to do things in a more au naturel setting. With more Frenchness on tap than ...

Photo of the Week: Keep Your Chin Up Nicky

Scott Jones — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:09:33 +0000

About to be his third year as a factory Ducati rider, Nicky Hayden is one of the hardest working men in MotoGP, and is long-overdue for some good luck. But, 2012 is already off to a tough start as Nick was unable to make much out of the Sepang test due to an injured left scapula, and accordingly underwent surgery today to repair cartilage and muscle damage in his left shoulder. Will he be fit to ride ...

Willow Springs Motorcycle Club Closes Racing League

Jensen Beeler — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:36:11 +0000

It is a sad day in Southern California amateur motorcycle racing, as the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club (WSMC) is closing its doors ahead of its second round of the 2012 season. Catering to amateur motorcycle racers from LA County and its surrounding areas for the past 21 years, Willow Springs owner Bill Huth has had no choice but to close the racing league because of its lack of profitability. While this announcement in no way affects ...

Aprilia Caponord 1200 Spotted – Déjà Vu All Over Again

Jensen Beeler — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:47:56 +0000

Launched at Piaggio’s dealer meeting in Monte Carlo, the Aprilia Caponord 1200 (AKA the Aprilia Tuareg 1200) has shown its face to the public, and a recognizable face it is. Clearly based on the Dorsoduro 1200 platform, the new Caponord 1200 draws its design cues from the Aprilia RSV4, which like the punch-drunk frat boy that it is, has spread its seed into the likes of the RS4 50, RS4 125, and SRV850 maxi-scooter, making for a ...

MV Agusta F3 Enters Production – Sales up 12% in 2011

Jensen Beeler — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:18:49 +0000

Only MV Agusta would send a press release out on the weekend, Super Bowl weekend no less. Apparently unable to contain the excitement that the MV Agusta F3 has entered production, the Varese-based company has not only sent out a proof of life video, but also released some information about its three-cylinder supersport and the company in general. Reportedly selling 12% more motorcycles in 2011 than 2010 (that’s a volume change that can be counted ...

Nicky Hayden to Undergo More Surgery on His Shoulder

Jensen Beeler — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:25:40 +0000

Ducati Corse rider Nicky Hayden was back in the SF Bay Area this week, and no he wasn’t in town for the Occupy Oakland movement that had the ghetto bird circling above A&R HQ all night. Returning to Fremont, CA to see Doctor to the Stars Dr. Arthur Ting, Hayden’s scans revealed damage to the American’s cartilage in his shoulder and muscles on his back. These injuries caused Hayden to have to sit out most ...