New Bike Specifications

Jorge Lorenzo to join Ducati?

January 16, 2014 by Jim Gorde 2 Comments

This just in! Two-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo could leave Yamaha for Ducati from the start of the 2015 season, reports Spanish media outfit Onda Cero.

According to the rumour, Lorenzo, who has ridden for Yamaha’ factory team since his debut premier class season in 2008, has already given Ducati his nod for a preliminary agreement for 2015 onwards, with an alleged offer of €15 million per season. If the news is true, Andrea Dovizioso could lose his job at the end of the coming season since Ducati’s new recruit Cal Crutchlow has signed a two-year contract with the Italian factory that terminates at the end of the 2015 season.

Story: Piyush Sonsale

Why We Ride

October 21, 2013 by Jim Gorde Leave a Comment

I’ve had an endless number of people ask me this question time and time again: ‘Why do you ride?’ My reaction to this question is always promptly answered with a big grin on my face followed by the words ‘Because it’s so much fun’ and there’s no better feeling in the world.

So you can imagine how overjoyed I was when I happened to come across a documentary film titled ‘Why We Ride’. It’s a story about who we are, as bikers. Individuals tied together across the world by the one longing to discover and explore the world on two wheels. Getting away from the four walls of our offices, the routine of mundane life and chores and to just go out there and ride while sharing those moments together with biker friends. It’s a story about the journey, not the destination. We haven’t seen the movie yet but will hopefully get a copy of the DVD soon, meanwhile, the trailer is more than enough to get you drooling over the release of the film and will get you geared up to ride. From a kid’s dream come true, to a retiree’s return to freedom, from a family riding together on the sand dunes, to hundreds of choppers carving through the canyons – the film talks about the passion of the riders and the soul of their machines. That feeling when your senses heighten as the world rushes in, your heart beating to the pulse of the engine, that moment of pure freedom. The film is independently financed and no sponsorships were allowed to ensure the creative integrity of the documentary and so that there wouldn’t be any favouritism given to any one group.

For more info on the film:

http://www.WhyWeRideFilm.com

https://www.facebook.com/WWR.WhyWeRide

http://www.twitter.com/Why_We_Ride

http://instagram.com/WhyWeRide

Story: Rommel Albuquerque

India Superbike Festival 2013

October 20, 2013 by Jim Gorde Leave a Comment

The 2013 edition of the Indian Superbike Festival took place at Amanora in Pune. We bring you the highlights.

A Honda Valkyrie Rune with Suzuki Hayabusas for company

Suzuki B-King, BMW K1300R and a Honda FIreblade strike a pose

Honda VFR 1200, Yamaha FZ1 and a Suzuki Gixxer gleaming in the afternoon sun

A sparkling new Ninja ZX-14R holds its own next to the Honda GoldWing 1800.

An assortment for the ages: Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Custom, Honda CB1000R and a customised Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14

Parked away from the crowd, this CBR and 848 EVO looked like long lost buddies

KTM grabbed a lot of attention with this: the 350 SX-F, and the RC8 and Duke twins

Harley-Davidson Super Glide Custom finds a peaceful spot

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Custom complete with even more chrome, an immaculate paint job and Vance & Hines exhaust pipes

BMW Motorrad had quite a few offerings in the open

Moto Guzzi California 1400 and its smaller sibling

This Suzuki SV decided to show up after dark

Images: Jim Gorde

First Look: 2014 Honda CRF 450 Rally

October 9, 2013 by Team Bike India Leave a Comment

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) – the Japanese manufacturing bigwig’s racing wing has raised the curtains on its latest entry for the upcoming 2014 Dakar Rally. A year after HRC made a trailblazing return to the Mecca of rally raids, they’ve announced their participation in the next installment of the competition as well. Drawing parallels to last year, HRC have again used the the CRF 450X enduro as blueprint for their dedicated rally machine, called the CRF 450 Rally.

Honda had introduced the Dakar-ready model exactly a year ago,and now, the new CRF 450 Rally has undergone a series of upgrades and improvements based on data pertaining to maintenance requirements, aerodynamics, durability and engine performance gleaned from last year’s race. The bike will be propelled by HRC’s signature Programmed Fuel Injection system this time around as well.

Team HRC’s 5 racers and their respective CRF 450s will participate in the upcoming 2013 Morocco Rally which starts on the 13th of October, using it as a platform to build towards next year’s Dakar Rally, which will also feature the same personnel and vehicles that will appear in Morocco. The bike will be produced and released for sale to other rally teams post-Dakar next year.

Story: Harket Suchde

Police Model Design Honda CBR 250R

October 3, 2013 by Jim Gorde 1 Comment

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd (HMSI) has unveiled the Police Model Design of its CBR 250R motorcycle, in partnership with ‘Grand’ IJS Electronics, a manufacturer of emergency vehicles warning products. The motorcycle was shown at 16th Indian International Security Expo 2013.

The Police Model Design CBR 250R has been designed as a police patrolling vehicle to facilitate quick response to incidents and provide high visibility at night. The motorcycle is equipped with LED lights, red-blue traditional police beacon lights, collapsible pole lights for high visibility, and torch light to allow reading and writing at night. The motorcycle is also fitted with a police siren with public address (PA) system that incorporates a push-to-talk button to switch to the microphone, as well as a utility box. Along with the motorcycle, Honda provides a specially designed helmet that includes a hands-free microphone to help in addressing the public while riding the motorcycle.

Story: Gaurav Nagpal