Valentino Rossi pays final tribute to Marco Simoncelli

Goodbye, Super Sic. R.I.P.

During yesterday’s final MotoGP race of the season, at Valencia, Valentino Rossi paid his final tribute to the late Marco Simoncelli. The Doctor’s helmet carried a special paintjob which was a combination of the designs used by Rossi and Simoncelli.

‘I really like the helmet a lot. I talked with Aldo Drudi and told him I wanted to make a really nice tribute to Sic. The most important thing of Marco’s helmet were the two red stripes. We didn’t really want to make an exact copy of his design – that’s one that only he could use. So we chose a way of combining the two helmets and it came out very nice. It has a very important meaning and it has a great emotion for me,’ said Rossi.

Tanom Invader TC-3: Hayabusa-powered trike is coming in 2012

The Tanom Invader TC-3, a 194bhp Hayabusa-engined trike

For those who love the 194-horsepower that a Suzuki Hayabusa’s 1340cc engine produces, but who’d rather have the added convenience and safety of three wheels rather than just two, Tanom Motors have unveiled the new Invader TC-3.

A ‘reverse trike’ that can seat two people, the Invader TC-3 is fitted with a tubular steel chassis with an integrated roll cage, injection-moulded plastic bodywork and weighs 472 kilos dry. Powered by the stock Hayabusa engine, the 194bhp TC-3 can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 3.92 seconds, does the standing quarter mile (400m) in 11.89 seconds and can hit a top speed of 220km/h.

It's Better In The Wind

It's Better In The Wind, a short film by Scott Toepfer

Here's what Scott Toepfer has to say about his short film:

Because we read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, and were taught that art is a path chosen by those who will themselves into the unknown. Because we watched ‘Easy Rider’ and want to find that for ourselves rather than from a television.

Today we face a world that is unkind to change, filled with the reluctance of apathy. Pioneers are just faceless figurines in museums, rather than part of tomorrow’s manifesto.

There is something to be cherished in our wide open spaces, if only the chance to breathe an unknown air, in search of a new way forward.

Setting out across the West. On vehicles without windows to restrict the scenery. With sincerity on the mind, we will be alone to reflect on past and future paths, only to find that the solidarity of the group will take us another day forward.

Follow us, share your stories. Enjoy the art, and the journey.

2012 MV Agusta Brutale 675 unveiled

The 2012 MV Agusta Brutale 675 - stylish, powerful and fast. We like it!

MV Agusta have released specs and first official pics of the new Brutale 675, which, along with the new MV Agusta F3, is expected to provide a significant boost to MV’s mass market appeal.

Fitted with the same 675cc three-cylinder liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine as the MV F3, the Brutale 675 boasts 115 horsepower at 12,500rpm and 71Nm of torque at 10,600rpm, and weighs a mere 163 kilos dry. MV claim their three-cylinder engine is one of the most advanced units in its class, with a counter-rotating crankshaft and MVICS (Motor and Vehicle Integrated Control System), which integrates eight-level traction control and ride-by-wire throttle control with four fuel-injection maps for the engine.

Dainese D-air Street coming in 2012, will watch your back on the road

The D-air Street could be a worthwhile addition to your motorcycle riding attire...

After the Dainese D-air Racing suit, which was launched earlier this year, the Italian motorcycle apparel brand is now ready to release the road-going version of the system – the D-air Street is currently undergoing TÜV SÜD certification and will go on sale by mid-2012.

According to Dainese, the D-air Street is specifically designed for use on public roads. The system comprises the ‘Motorcycle Kit’ (MKit) and either an outer waistcoat or jacket, which host the system’s airbags. The MKit is fitted to the user’s motorcycle and is the ‘brain’ of the system, featuring a pair of accelerometers, one of which is mounted under the seat and the other on the front forks. There is also a fall sensor that is physically connected to a display unit on the motorcycle’s dash and shows rider system information. The airbag device features two airbags, both with a volume of 12 litres. These include two cold automotive-type gas generators run by battery powered electronics, with an average life of 30 hours, and a five-hour charging time.

Husqvarna develop off-road ABS tech

Until now, ABS simply did not work on off-road bikes. Husqvarna are changing that...

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) is pretty much one of the most important developments in motorcycle technology – regardless of rider skill and experience, on the street, ABS has significant potential to save motorcyclists’ lives. However, the technology that is so valuable on the street has had little or no use off-road. Until now, that is. Because Husqvarna have just announced their all-new off-road ABS, the world's first ABS that’s been fully optimised for off-road racing and which will be offered on the 2012 Husqvarna TE 449.

EBR1190RS doesn’t have traction control, doesn’t need it

The EBR1190 doesn't have the ultra-sophisticated electronics of the S1000RR or RSV4 but that didn't stop it from winning the 2011 European Superbike championship!

Harald Kitsch, who won the 2011 European Superbike class (litre-class and above) aboard Erik Buell Racing’s EBR1190, has good things to say about his bike. ‘The competition, with the Japanese inline-fours, the BMW S1000RRs, Aprilia RSV4s and Ducati 1198s was really tough. But the EBR was once again a benchmark for everyone this year,’ said Kitsch, who claimed the championship with a final victory at the Oschersleben racetrack in Germany.