Arizona Touring Motocycle Ride - Fan Report

I left Tucson, Arizona at 6:30 a.m. on my 2007 ST1300 in a group of eight bikes (2 ST1300s, 1 FJR and 5 Goldwings) and 10 people who were headed to Show Low, AZ for lunch. A fireplug of a retired woman I'll refer to as 'Gee,' who weighs in at 105 lbs and "only" has 95,000 miles on her 2005 S1300T, led the ride. About a mile before the "Elk Crossing Zone" in Tonto National Forest, a bull elk jumped out in front of us. Very stimulating to say the least. I forgot how big those bad boys can get. Of course being in the back of the pack, it was the 4000 brake lights that got my attention. Along the way, I ran over a rather large rattlesnake and 'Gee' had her picture taken with it.

After lunch, we headed into Salt River Canyon. 'Gee,' who is an E-Ticket ride in the twisties, took off. I sat stuck behind three Goldwings, frustrated. Although I could have passed, it is frowned upon to do so without a passing zone when pack riding. Once at the bottom, however, there finally was one. 'Gee' was sitting on the bridge waiting for us. As we approached, she took off and I heard her already shifting into third gear. The little voice in my head said "get her" so I took off.

Headed uphill is always fun and I wasn't disappointed. A hard sweeping right had me leaned all the way over as I closed in on 'Gee.' One of the Wings had started to give chase but quickly gave up. I hit third gear coming out of the sweeper and as I caught up, she decided she did not want to be caught and proceeded to ride away. I was able to stay within 100 yards of her but could get no closer. I had my own line but she kept leaving me, so I used hers. Better, but not good enough. Every time I got close, I could sense her smiling as she pulled away. Several fifth gear sweepers found me with a big grin on my face despite failing in my pursuit. This petite flower can ride! Once out of the canyon, we pulled over to let the pack catch up. I got home 13 hours and 487 miles after I had left that morning. During the trip, I tried my old Polaroid camera mounted to the handlebars to take photos. Out of 47 pictures taken, only 12 came out. Time for a new camera for sure.

Riders Ready for Centopassi Motomarathon

As the Rocky Mountains begin to thaw, the Motomarathon Association is ready to kick off the region’s long-distance motorcycle sport-touring season with the Centopassi Motomarathon, June 25-28. The Motomarathon Association organizes an annual series of four-day rides over the best roads and through the best scenery in the country. Routes remain secret until the night before each day’s ride, and participants must complete a sequence of self-recorded check-points using digital cameras. “This ride will cover some of the state’s most significant mountain passes, scenic canyons and remote plateaus,” said Motomarathon founder John Metzger. “While ‘Centopassi’ means ‘100 passes’ in Italian, we won't actually ride that many, though it might feel like it while averaging 400 miles/day for four days.”

The ride starts and ends at the Peloton Community in Boulder, culminating with the Ducati North America-sponsored Awards Dinner at Basta Pizzeria within the Peloton complex on the evening of Day 4, June 28th. Routes for Day 1 will be handed out at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night (June 24th) at Basta. Subsequent day’s routes will be distributed at 7:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Steamboat Springs (Day 1), the Ouray Chalet (Day 2) and at the Rocky Mountain Inn in Paonia (Day 3). “The Motomarathon format has struck a nerve with today’s sport-touring and long-distance riders, and with our sponsors Ducati North America (bikes), Aerostich (clothing) and Wolfman (luggage),” said Metzger.

“The new Ducati Multistrada 1200 is a perfect fit for these events,” said Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America. “We’re proud to support the Motomarathon, and we’re very excited to work with the promoters to elevate the highest form of sport-touring.”

BRP Recalls 1200 Can-Am Spyders

Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) has issued a recall for its popular Can-Am Spyder Roadster. The issue affects 1200 models of the semi-automatic transmission SE5 Roadsters. The problem pertains to the clutch, which may stall at stop and cause the bike to not restart and become immobilized. The recall, issued on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website summarizes the problem as follows: “BRP is recalling certain model year 2010 Spyder RS SE5 2nd Series and RT SE5 Roadsters. When bringing a vehicle equipped with the SE5 semi-automatic transmission to a full stop, the clutch may remain engaged stalling the engine. Once the engine is stalled, it could be impossible to re-start and the rear wheel could be blocked.” The consequences of the above scenario are further described in the NHTSA announcement: “…The vehicle may not be able to be pushed off the roadway increasing the risk of a crash.” The NHTSA reports that BRP will notify affected owners, with dealers repairing the bikes free of charge. BRP has not provided the NHTSA with a notification schedule.

STM, Behind the Scenes at the Thundersprint

I don’t intend turning STM into an extended blog about the Thundersprint but this year’s event was a cracker in so many ways. For someone who sat on his Mum’s knee at Creg Ny Baa, and watched the immortal Mike Hailwood take the last ever TT win by a Manx Norton, seeing Chris Walker in action on the new Norton 961 was a really emotional experience. It is difficult to convey how incredibly special it felt to have Norton race their all new bike at OUR event - rather than anywhere else in the world - and when Chris won no-one cheered louder than Carol and I. It was great! The crowds were even bigger than ever this year. We’re always very careful never to claim an attendance at the Thundersprint because, as a free event, we can never provide an audited figure. But here’s a bit of informal data for the Math experts amongst you to consider:

At lunchtime, we have a Cavalcade of all the race bikes, plus a few road machines, around the town of Northwich. We are led by the very helpful Cheshire Police and we keep to a steady 30mph which is great for the riders and spectators alike. The route is 2.1-miles long and was lined on both sides by spectators. To state the obvious, that’s 4.2 miles of cheering fans. At the busiest points, the crowds are maybe six deep on the sidewalk. Added to this are the thousands of spectators who prefer to remain in the center of the show. Can any Math major come up with a decent estimate? So that’s the public face of the Thundersprint but the purpose of this column is to give you a backstage view of some of the special moments from this year’s event.

2010 World Ducati Week Saturday Part 1

The seaside Italian towns near the Misano racing circuit have been invaded by an enthusiastic army of Ducati motorcycle enthusiasts. Riders from all over the planet have been steadily funneling into the area, taking over the streets with the fantastic sound of Desmovalve-equipped L-Twin engines for the sixth edition of World Ducati Week. The fun began yesterday when I rode a 2011 Ducati Monster 796 from Ducati's HQ in Bologna. At first glance I dismissed the new Monster as being a 'girls bike' but after logging a fair amount of kilometers it actually is a fun bike and especially well suited for the mixed urban/country confines of this area.

Last night we hit downtown Rimini which can be best described as the Italian version of Daytona Beach, but way, way, WAY cooler. As opposed to Daytona, the bike community here is far more enthusiastic in regards to the kind of machines they pilot (99.98% Ducatis). Its also cool to see how friendly and outgoing people Italians are not to mention how lax the law enforcement is with them turning a blind eye to typical street bike hi-jinks which is outlawed in America. It's funny too, for as many laws I saw broken last night I didn't see so much as one tip over or accident and the roads out here are without doubt WAY more sketchy than at home in Southern Cal.

I ended up meeting up with my pal, Kevin Allen, an fellow American who works for Pirelli tires. He relocated to its headquarters in Milan and made the trek down on his 998, which still wears a Georgia license plate! It was actually funny how we met up. I was just cruising down the main drag and all of a sudden I somehow hear my name over the sound of the engine. I look over and there he is gobbling up a scoop of gelato. I pulled over we start chatting and all of a sudden this pudgy biker gang from Sicily rides by, probably about 12 of them, all with their motors pinned to the rev-limiter. WAA-WAA-WAA-WAA.

There were a pack of pretty girls getting ready to attack the club and the pack immediately pulled over and started hollering at them-- it was a hilarious site and something you definitely don't see everyday at home. A few moments later we met up with another group of Italian riders (some of them girls) and hit the streets in a pack of about 25 riders. So there we were cruising the block and all of sudden it comes stop with a bunch of hammered drunk dudes in the middle of the street. Of course I was obligated to make those guys night by doing a huge burnout which they loved and all of a sudden I was now part of the playful mob heckling other bikers from the side of the road--it was hilarious. We ended up riding until around 3:00 a.m. It was fun and brought me back about 10 years when I use to ride/live like that seven days a week.

Saturday marked the biggest day of WDW celebrations inside Misano and it is literally insane how many people showed up. No joke, there had to be in excess of 15,000 riders and almost all of them were riding Ducatis. I've never seen as many Ducati's in one area in my entire life. Literally, I think I saw every single Ducati motorcycle ever made-- from ones built back in the day with a manual kick start lever to about 100 or so Desmosedicis. My head is still ringing with the sound of thousands of clutch plates ratting around from the dry clutch-equipped bikes. All day long riders kept on flooding through the gates and while it was pretty congested inside it was cool being able to kick it with a bunch of other die-hard Ducati enthusiasts.

It's surprising how many activities there are and how much there is actually to see inside the track. Everywhere you look there are different set-ups which allow fans to get to experience the Ducati brand in different ways. They have had one cool area devoted to the Monster brand of motorcycles in which people customized their bikes with different paint jobs and color schemes. They even had two artists on staff that were painting helmets and other body panels for your bike if so desired. But the highlight by far is just roaming around and partying with the thousands of other riders. Given the track's close proximity to the beach and network of twisty back roads there is a constant stream of people coming in and out of the track.

And hitting the beach for a reprieve from the heat was definitely needed. At the track the air temperature had to be almost 100 degrees with 80-plus degrees of humidity. To compensate they had one small section of the paddock set for a "sexy bike wash". As you guessed there Italian super babes would wash down you and your bike--yes you read correctly. They would actually strip you down and sponge you down--PG-13-style of course. Meanwhile a DJ would be pumping out a weird mish-mash of disco-tech type music that sounded like something you'd hear down in Mexico. Italians sure know how to party I guess.

One of the many highlights without a doubt was when the World Superbike and MotoGP team had a question and answer session with fans that managed to get inside the small air-conditioned meeting room. Inside retired World Supers Champ Troy Bayliss told everyone that he would not be returning to competition either this year or next. The Australian mentioned that he had so much fun during his recent test at Mugello that he contemplated returning but after some more thought he understands that it would be a difficult task to get back to that level and in the end is something that he and his family don't want to do. It was also quite obvious that Noriyuki Haga isn't too happy with the way his season has gone thus far with the guy pouting most of the day and looking like someone had just run over his dog...

Okay, that's it for now, there's plenty more to talk about but for now I gotta run err, ride!

Triumph Joins Vintage Motorcycle Days

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that Triumph Motorcycles will bring a wide range of machines for attendees to demo at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 9-11 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Included in the demo lineup will be a full range of 2010 models: the America, Speedmaster, Scrambler, Bonneville, Bonneville SE, Bonneville T100, Thruxton, Daytona 675, Street Triple, Street Triple R, Speed Triple SE, Rocket III Roadster, Rocket III Touring, Thunderbird, Thunderbird SE and Tiger SE.

"Each year the Triumph staff looks forward to working AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days," said Triumph Marketing Manager Jim Callahan. "As lifelong motorcyclists, our team has more fun at this particular venue than any other national event. The enthusiasts who attend AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days are an amazing group of motorcyclists who value tradition, competition and individual style -- three characteristics that have made Triumph a success for more than a hundred years. VMD has become a cornerstone of our annual event schedule, and Triumph will be on location with the entire 2010 range of models in full regalia."

Held at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track. In addition to demo rides of current production bikes, the event includes North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, educational seminars, bike shows, the Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral, motorcycling seminars, the new product Manufacturers' Midway, and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs.

Husqvarna is the 2010 Marque of the Year at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, with off-road racing legend Malcolm Smith serving as grand marshal.

Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The goal of the Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, is to honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling.

Test Ride a Can-Am Spyder Roadster

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that a fleet of Can Am Spyder roadsters, the unique three-wheeled vehicle offered by Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), will be available for demo rides at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days this July 9-11 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. These Can-Am Spyder demo vehicles will include both the Spyder RS and the Spyder RT. The Spyder RT is the company's new touring model for 2010.

"We enjoy getting out and seeing as many riders as possible across the United States with our demo tour," said BRP's Chaz Rice, manager, media and public relations, Can-Am. "AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is a great way to do that, as well as celebrate motorcycling history. Our Can-Am products helped write some of U.S. off-road racing history in the 1970s and early 1980s, and its exciting to not only reacquaint ourselves to that past but introduce attendees to the future of Can-Am: the Can-Am Spyder roadster."

Held at the world-class Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features vintage and post-vintage competition in motocross, trials, hare scrambles, roadracing and dirt track. In addition to demo rides of current production bikes, the event includes North America's largest motorcycle swap meet, educational seminars, bike shows, the Federal Companies/Allied Used Bike Corral, motorcycling seminars, the new product Manufacturers' Midway, and club corrals featuring marque and regional clubs. Husqvarna is the 2010 Marque of the Year at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, with off-road racing legend Malcolm Smith serving as grand marshal. Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days benefit the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. The goal of the Hall of Fame, located on the campus of the AMA in Pickerington, Ohio, is to honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling.

2010 World Ducati Week Part 2

After watching Haga pout and Bayliss nearly cry after admitting that he won't be making a World Superbike comeback, it was the MotoGP squad's turn to speak in front of fans. Both Casey Stoner and Nick Hayden spoke candidly and appeared excited to be a part of this unique motorcycling event. Even though Stoner attended the last WDW edition, he was still surprised by just how many people showed up Saturday (tens of thousands). Equally wowed was Nick Hayden, who was making his first appearance. Hayden was also accompanied by a new lady friend who happens to be a friends, sisters, friend. Funny huh? During the press conference both riders laughed and joked around but when asked about the remaining part of the season they were all business stating that they still have a lot of work to do in order to make up some points against the series leaders. It's also interesting to see how well both riders interact with their new team manager Vito Guareschi, a former test rider and road racer. Afterwards the boys conducted a virtual track walk in which they gave some insight as to how to get around Misano's 11-turn course.

With temperatures hovering in the mid-90s paired extreme Miami-style humidity a ride to the beach was the ideal way to cool off. And one of the craziest things about riding a motorcycle around Misano is just how slippery parts of the road way are, especially roundabouts and intersections. Perhaps its the combination of the salty ocean air and fluids left behind by the swarms of motorcycles and 2-stroke scooters? Even with the modest power output of the Monster 796 it was ridiculously easy to kick the back of the bike out and leave long skinny darkies during aggressive acceleration in first and sometimes second gear. I've literally never experienced this sort of condition on any other pavement surface and it was a total blast! It made me think that perhaps this is the reason why such a high amount of top-level road racers come out of this region considering that Valentino Rossi, Marco Simoncelli, Marco Melandri, and Alex de Angelis all hail from this part of Italy. After cooling off seaside it was time to head back to the track for the Streetfighter Drag Race. As the name implies the World Super and MotoGP riders drag raced down Misano’s front straight at the controls of a Ducati Streetfighter. Each of the riders was allowed a couple practice runs before facing off head-to-head.

It was actually really entertaining to watch these guys try to launch a motorcycle. Considering all the electronic doo-dads and launch control rider aids, none of them have to manually launch a bike anymore. And you could definitely tell with virtually every one of them getting horrible starts during the practice runs. Some wheelied, some just spun the rear tire, and a couple almost stalled the bike. It also did not help that the Streetfighters had the Ducati Traction Control setting cranked up to the max as you could hear the engine's struggle to gain revs as they accelerated away. The riders did however catch on quick and after a few practice runs they were nailing nearly perfect starts.

As the riders would return to the starting lane via pit lane some of them were pulling wheelies, rolling burnouts and even an endos. After each pass they were getting more and more daring and as soon as Haga had aced everyone in the final drag race they put on a full-on impromptu stunt show. It's impressive how much bike control and raw stunting ability all of the riders have which just proves that extreme bike control is shared between stunting and racing worlds. As the sun set the paddock was filled with the aroma of grilled food. But before everyone ate, all eyes went toward the main stage where the riders and head Ducati execs took to the stage for a few words before the fans. Bayliss gave one of the more notable speech's. He began speaking Italian, but was so overwhelmed with emotion that he stumbled his words and finished speaking in English not wanting to mess anything up in translation. He profusely thanked his fans for their support over the years and was happy to such an integral part of the Ducati family. Off all the riders on stage, Bayliss without a doubt received the most applause proving that he remains the fan favorite even though he's no longer racing.

Afterward the real partying began when various musicians took to the stage and began rocking the crowd. Perhaps the craziest part was that even after the sunset there were still tens of thousands hanging out inside the track. If you weren't feeling the concert vibe you could mosey toward a pop-tent that hosted a mini-rave. Inside the tent, there were kids not even 10 years old dancing around with their parents. If all the noise and commotion wasn't your style they also had a places for families to hang out and eat, drink, and socialize. The track was jam packed until almost midnight before folks finally started to clear out, not doubt to ride or party elsewhere around town. I assumed that Sunday would attract even more riders but strangely enough the track was far quieter as compared to Saturday. Apparently in Italian culture Sunday is basically the day you are supposed spend with mother at home. And this made it easier to float around the paddock without having to feel like you were going to get run over by a mom riding a piped-out Desmosedici (yes, I actually saw this). As opposed to Saturday's jam packed schedule, Sunday was more laid back. In the morning riders who signed up for track time got to bomb around Misano's 2.5-mile, 11-turn road course before the afternoon's Desmo Challenge (spec Ducati class) races got underway. After the races concluded at 5:00 p.m. the World Superbike team took to the track for a official two-hour testing session in preparation for the World Superbike races the weekend after next.

So there you have it I survived my first WDW adventure. Next to the riding, camaraderie, and 48-hours of relentless socializing, the one thing that I'm taking back home with me is just how passionate Ducati riders are. Having spent a fair amount of time in the saddle of its creations I've known that the bikes are more soulful than almost anything else on the road, but what I didn't realize is that the people who ride this brand of motorcycles are equally if not more charismatic. And that's what makes the Ducati brand so awesome and unlike anything else in the world and the reason why I can't wait for the next World Ducati Week celebration.

30 Years of GS at BMW Motorrad Days

Friends of the brand BMW Motorrad celebrate the 30th anniversary of the GS models and BMW Motorrad celebrates the GS riders: at the "BMW Motorrad Days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, guests' BMW GS models will be rated and awarded prizes in different categories.

BMW Motorrad's competition "30 Years GS" is organised in three classes: the oldest GS, the machine with the highest mileage and the most impressive GS creation. Key criteria are the chassis number in the first class and in the second class evidence of the highest mileage up to the time of pre-selection on July 3rd. With the customised machines, the jury - made up of well-known names from GS history such as Jutta Kleinschmidt, Hubert Auriol and Charley Boorman, will be looking at the creativity of visual or technical changes.

The prizes for the three first places will be caps and vouchers for BMW Motorrad rider´s equipment. The value of these will be as follows: for the first places 500 EUR each, for the second places 250 EUR each and for the third places 100 EUR each. What is more, all participants placed fifth or higher will receive a cap and keyring from the BMW Motorrad "30 YEARS GS"Collection as well as the special magazine “BMW Classic live. Special edition 30 Years GS”, signed by the jury. All owners of BMW GS machines can enter with their bike, except for BMW employees. In order to sign up and register it is sufficient simply to come with your motorcycle and the necessary documentary evidence to the signposted parking spaces by the ice rink on the BMW Motorrad Days ground between 9 am and 11 am on July 3rd. Here you can enter your motorcycle in one of the three categories. BMW Motorrad specialists will make a pre-selection at this time of five machines to go through to the final of each category. These favourites will be presented in the Freestyle Area from around 12.30 pm, the winners will then be decided and prizes awarded. For further information on the competition "30 Years GS" please see www.bmw-motorrad.com/motorraddays from the middle of June. The award ceremony will be one of the highlights to mark the 30th anniversary of the BMW GS. In a special exhibition, BMW Classic will be presenting milestones from three decades of GS to illustrate the remarkable success story which this big travel enduro concept gave rise to - especially considering that it was completely new at the time. The BMW Classic Special Edition magazine provides 62 pages of detailed information on the background and development of this pioneering motorcycle. It will be available in German and English at the "BMW Motorrad Days" and costs five EUR.

The "BMW Motorrad Days" is a meeting place for tradition and innovation. For this reason, there will be a new tent focusing entirely on the important issue of safety. Under the heading "ConnectedRide", BMW Motorrad researchers and engineers are developing various assistance systems such as the cross traffic assistant based on communication between vehicles, which aims to increase safety in future. Visitors can experience at first hand the current state of development of BMW motorcycles. Training sessions are offered on BMW GS models, and BMW G 450 X and Husqvarna models will also be provided for test rides. Of course virtually all other BMW Motorrad models can also be loaned for extensive test rides.

For beginners without a license, BMW Motorrad offers try-outs in a cordoned-off area. With a little luck, the dream of owning a brand new BMW motorcycle could come true, too: on Friday evening there will be a draw for the special models BMW F 800 GS "30 Years GS" and on Saturday evening for the BMW R 1200 Gs "30 Years GS". The breathtaking stunts performed by four-times world stunt-riding champion Chris Pfeiffer in the Freestyle Area are not recommended for imitation. On the x-track, off-road specialities can be seen performed by world-famous enduro riders and mountain bikers. Another highlight is the Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport which once again enters the World Superbike Championship in 2010 with the racing version of the S1000RR. Regular features of the BMW Motorrad Days are the Classic Convoy, which will be held on Friday this year, as well as the Grand Motorcycle Convoy on Saturday. The support program includes 60 international exhibitors displaying their goods and services - from tuning to accessories and travel and featuring off-road, on-road and race track training. In cooperation with Metzeler BMW Motorrad offers a tyre service. The parties on the Friday and Saturday featuring live bands and DJs have already achieved legendary status. For the first time in 2010, the ladies band WILDCATS will be performing live at the BMW Motorrad Days. On Friday evening, the acts Gerry & Gary, Dreirad, Byron and DJ Moorat will also be providing entertainment. The acts lined up for Saturday are Blechblos’n, Tommy and the Moondogs, Byron and DJ Robert .

Immediately adjacent to the event grounds there is a 15,000 square metre camping area with bathroom facilities.

On Saturday 3rd July at 10:30 am there will be a press conference for journalists on the subject of "30 Years GS" in the "30 Years GS" tent on the BMW Motorrad Days grounds. Several key personalities from GS history will be there, including Jutta Kleinschmidt, Hubert Auriol and Charley Boorman. Kleinschmidt achieved numerous rallye success on the BMW R 100 GS, Auriol won the Dakar Rally in 1981 and 1983 on a BMW GS. Boorman undertook his impressive motorcycle trips with Ewan McGregor described in "Long Way Round" on the BMW R 1150 GS, and "Long Way Down" on the BMW R 1200 GS.

Barn Find Vincent to Head Bonhams Auction

Bonhams celebrated its second motorcycle auction at Quail Lodge in Carmel this past month demonstrating the market’s strong interest in early machines with a total of 77 lots selling for more than $600,000. Bonhams is no stranger to the two-wheeled market and sells, on average, more than $8 million worth of motorcycles annually around the globe. Its list of successful sales and world-record prices is renowned and includes motorbike-specific auctions such as Quail Lodge, the über-popular Stafford Show in England, the BMW Museum in Germany, and the former Legend of the Motorcycle in Half Moon Bay, not to mention mixed car/bike sales such as the Petersen Auto Museum in Los Angeles. Building on this vast experience and strength, Bonhams is now launching a new motorcycle-exclusive auction in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas. The “Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction” will take place the afternoon of Thursday, January 6th, 2011 at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in the heart of the strip. Leading the list of entries is a stunningly original 1952 Vincent Rapide in Chinese Red that has been untouched for nearly half a century. Discovered in Fresno, California – where it had been sold new by the local Fresno Indian dealer – the time capsule machine has 8500 original miles, matching numbers and California black license plate. Its auction estimate is $85,000-$100,000. Over 200 classic motorbikes representing every era will be featured in the Las Vegas auction.

2010 Spa Francorchamps Bikers Classics

This year’s Bikers Classics confirmed the event as the most star studded in the classic motorcycling calendar. The iconic Spa Francorchamps paddock was packed solid with motorcycling superstars ranging from 15 times World Champion, Giacomo Agostini, to New Zealand ace Hugh Anderson, who took four World Championships for Suzuki in the lightweight classes. Hugh was making a rare visit to Europe and wanted to be re-united with the Spa track which had given him so much success. Californian World Champion, Steve Baker, kept the American flag flying whilst re-living the great Yamaha battles of the past with Christian Sarron and Eric Saul. But this year, it was the sidecars who were the stars. From 1950’s Norton “sitter” outfits all the way to the LCR “worm” ridden by the world’s most successful sidecar driver, Steve Webster, the sidecars dominated the three days of track action. Steve had an incredible 62 wins, 37 second places and 27 third places as well as 82 pole positions - and showed that he had lost none of his flair - even in the pouring rain which came down hard during Saturday’s high speed track demonstrations. Just as welcome was 83-year-old English sidecar veteran Stan Dibden who was swapping stories with the great sidecar crews from the Golden Age of GP racing including Max Deubel, Rolf Steinhausen, and Ralf Engelhardt, as well as the legendary tuner Dieter Busch.

But for many the highlight of the weekend was hearing the motorcycling music which always sets hearts racing: the flat, determined and relentless drone of a BMW flat twin racing engine working at its limit as the sidecars slid through the 4.35 miles of one the world’s greatest racing circuits.

Ride to Work Day June 21

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is encouraging all motorcyclists to help demonstrate the tangible benefits of commuting to work on a motorcycle on Monday, June 21, in celebration of national Ride to Work Day, and to be safe while doing it.

"Ride to Work Day is a great way to show that motorcycles are fun to ride as well as an economical way to transport yourself from one point to another," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "With so many more riders on the road at this time of year, it's also a good opportunity to extend a note of caution to riders and motorists alike as part of the I AMAware campaign, which emphasizes safety on the road through enhanced awareness of fellow road users. "I AMAware is a national program that encourages both defensive riding by motorcyclists and alertness by fellow road users," Dingman said. "In most car-motorcycle crashes, the driver claims he or she never saw the motorcyclist. By increasing awareness of motorcyclists on the road, crashes can be avoided, and lives can be saved." Since its inception in 1992 by Aerostich/RiderWearHouse's Andy Goldfine, who also sits on the AMA's Board of Directors, Ride to Work Day has become an international event, with participation in cities around the world and recognition by the U.S. government. In the United States in recent years, both U.S. Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas), co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus and longtime supporters of motorcyclists' rights, have recognized the day on the floor of the House of Representatives.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 80 million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride To Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a larger number of America's motorcycles and scooters are ridden to work.

"Ride to Work Day is one of our best advertisements for the motorcycling lifestyle," said AMA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Ed Moreland. "With more riders on the road during rush hour, these benefits become even clearer. Motorcycles and scooters are a socially responsible form of transportation that reduce fuel consumption and wear and tear on roads, ease congestion, make parking easier and exponentially increase the fun of your commute."

Triumph Touts New Adventure Bikes

Triumph Motorcycles has announced the development of two new “adventure bikes,” with the British manufacturer creating a purpose-built site for the proposed models at www.triumphadventure.com. Triumph has also confirmed the new models on its Facebook page, where it authenticates spy shots of the new rides published by Motorcycle News.

Triumph doesn’t release any hard details about the ride, stating in an email response from its microsite that: “Here at Triumph, we're really busy developing two brand new adventure bikes. It'll be a good few months before they're ready.” Triumph will be rolling out the hype in stages, with scheduled release dates for information regarding the engine (August 4), chassis (September 1) and clothing/accessories (October 6th). These models could be the Tiger Cub, that long-awaited, oft-rumored ride which has made repeated appearances in our monthly Euro Gossip Column. The Cub, or whatever Triumph designates its new machine, is speculated to be a smaller version of the firm’s Tiger adventure-tourer, most likely utilizing a version of the 675 Triple platform that powers the Daytona 675 and Street Triple. If true, the new Triumph would be taking aim at BMW’s F800GS. Another option is Triumph may be re-tooling its existing Tiger to match up again the BMW’s class-defining R1200GS. Such a move would mirror the latest efforts from Ducati and Yamaha with the Multistrada 1200 and Super Tenere. Stay tuned for piecemeal updates on the new rides, as the details sequentially deploy in the runup to its expected debut at the Milan EICMA Bike Show this November.

Thundersprint 2010 to Air on Motors TV

The hour long Thundersprint 2010 TV show will be aired for the first time by Motors TV on Thursday 8 July, at 21.15. The programme is far more a documentary than the normal sports reports shown on specialist TV channels. The show follows Chris Walker as the Norton factory race prepares his 961 Commando. Then, the cameras focus on Chris at the Thundersprint Bike show – and move with him as he enjoys a 6am start at the following day’s racing. Motorcycle racing can be a tough business! Finally, there is some incredible footage of the “Stalker” giving Norton their first ever race win with the all new Commando. Classic superstars Jim Redman and Sammy Miller feature heavily supported by BBC TV’s Steve Parrish and current Grand Prix star, Danny Webb. Trader insights are provided by Eric Warburton of the Thundersprint’s title sponsor, Knutsford Honda, whilst Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Leader, Mike Jones, shows the area’s support for what is by far their biggest tourism event. The programme shows all the skills of top international Director/Producer Rob Hallam - and the huge amount of time, effort and money which was lavished on the show.

Thundersprint 2010 an Ecomomic Success

In 2009, an Economic Evaluation survey undertaken by Visit Chester and Cheshire on behalf of The North-West Development Agency, showed that the Thundersprint brought £4.37 million to the region in the form of participant, trader and visitor expenditure.

This year, a similar survey indicated a rise to £6.4 million Not only did Northwich, and its surrounding districts, benefit from what is now a two night and two day event but Thundersprint visitors were filling hotels throughout the region - and beyond. In fact, visitors are now complaining at the distance they have to stay from Northwich such is the shortage of bed space in the area during the Thundersprint weekend. 84% of participants, and 65% of traders, interviewed at the event indicated that they were staying overnight in the region, their average stay being 2.5 days. Better still, the Thundersprint was given as the main reason for visitors coming to Northwich and fans then stayed on in the area. 68% of respondents said that the Thundersprint was the only reason for them to visit Cheshire. Customer satisfaction with the Thundersprint was incredibly high. 64% of those interviewed had been to the event before and 35% had attended four times or more. The survey reported that: “…the findings indicate a very strong and loyal customer base for the event.”

Cllr. Mike Jones, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “The Thundersprint is one of the region’s success stories both in terms of the amount of revenue it generates but also in the way that it provides an event which the whole community can enjoy. “The Thundersprint is also very important because it puts Northwich on the map and is a key driver for the local economy, being one of the major events in Cheshire West and Chester.” Thundersprint organiser, Frank Melling, was just as enthusiastic: “The Thundersprint is a huge credit to Cheshire West and Chester Council without whose support the event would not happen. For me, the most exciting thing is that with the help of the Council we are able to provide a world class event which has free admission, free parking and free grandstand seating. This means that the whole community can enjoy the Thundersprint instead of being excluded by the high admission fees prevalent at many other events. “The interest in next year’s Thundersprint from riders, traders and the public is already incredible and we are looking forward to making Thundersprint 2011 the best ever.”

BMW Recalls R1200, G650 and F800 Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced four separate BMW motorcycle recalls. Listing the manufacturer’s report date as June 15, 2010, the announcements regard select G650X, F800GS and F650GS models, as well as the Bavarian marque’s extensive R1200 Boxer line. The most comprehensive of the recalls is NHTSA campaign 10V276000, which affects the 2007-2009 model years of the R1200GS, GS Adventure, R, RT and ST versions of the Boxer lineup, along with the K1200GT. The problem described by the NHTSA announcement is as follows:

“Due to the current routing of the front brake lines, it is possible that during riding, and therefore associated vibration, the brake lines could be under strain. If the vibration/strain is significant, the brake line could split and start to develop a leak.” The statement continues with possible consequence: “If this strain goes unnoticed, and the brake fluid reservoir runs empty, the front brakes could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.” Owners will be notified by BMW about the problem and dealers will install new brake lines which contain a “sleeve” to remedy the concern. The fix will be free of charge and is expected to begin this July. A second recall involves the R1200GS Adventure, with a bolt on the fuel tank front attachment possibly coming into contact with the fork leg “if the handlebar is turned a significant amount.” The concern is the limited range of the bars could “affect handling and maneuverability of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.” A third recall affects the G650 lines manufactured from November 2006 through May 2008, including all three models: the Xchallenge, Xcountry and Xmoto. The NHTSA recall describes the defect as: “Over time, the roll gear pin’s mounting attachment could break,” with possible fragments of said attachment becoming “trapped between the drive chain and the rear sprocket” causing the rear wheel to lock up “possibly resulting in a crash.”

A similar reasoning necessitates the fourth recall, which entail the F800 and F650GS models. The affected units were produced from September 2007 through March 2009 and feature drive chains that “may not have been produced to specification.” The concern is that “over time the drive chain could break” and like the G650 models, entangle in the rear wheel.

Bonhams Banbury Run Auction Raises £450,000

Bonhams’ second annual sale of collectors’ motorcycles at our Midlands base in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, on 19th June held in conjunction with the VMCC’s Banbury Run was another resounding success achieving £458,442 and selling 87% by lot. Brough Superior, the Rolls Royce of the motorcycle world, never fails to attract interest. The top lot, a 1929 Overhead 680 example, fetched £98,300 against a pre-sale estimate of £55,000-65,000. Another keenly contested motorcycle was lot 140, a 1962 BSA 650cc Rocket Gold Star which had been in single family ownership since new. After lengthy bidding from several clients, the BSA finally sold for £15,525 (estimate £10,000-12,000). Owned from new by Richard O’Brien, writer and star of the cult musical ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ and presenter of television’s ‘The Crystal Maze’, the 2001 Honda CB50 Dream sold on behalf of The Royal Children’s Hospital, Manchester, and achieved £3,565 against a pre-sale estimate of £2,000 – £2,500. Also popular were restoration projects such as a 1965 Honda 49cc ‘Monkey Bike’, untouched and in a garage for 20 years, which was estimated at £300-500. A fierce bidding war ensued and it finally went for £5,290. A ‘barn find’ c.1916 Sunbeam 3½hp also from single family ownership and offered for careful restoration and preservation, sold for £12,075 (estimate £4,000-6,000).

The Thruxton is one of the most sought after post-war Velocettes and lot 141, a 1966 Velocette 499cc Venom Thruxton, was a very fine example. It was two owners from new and on the day the original owner bought it back for £12,650. The ex-Roy Peplow 1966 ISDT works Triumph Tiger 100 fetched £20,125 (estimate £10,000-15,000). A works rider for the Triumph factory, Roy Peplow was a member of Britain’s Trophy team in the 1966 International Six Days Trial, held that year in Sweden. Peplow won a Gold Medal, helping the British team to finish second overall behind East Germany.

Ben Walker, Head of Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycle Department, commented: “There is clearly a strong demand for historic machines with iron cast provenance as well as those motorcycles that remain in largely untouched and original condition. A number of records were also set for the mid-range machines – a 1953 Ariel 998cc Square Four MkII sold for £12,075 for example. We’re now accepting entries for our forthcoming sales at The Beaulieu Autojumble and The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show so stay tuned for details of future exciting machines we’ll be offering!”

Salt Addiction Buell Brothers Racing

Having ventured into the Buell Brothers pits on many occasions, I’ve yet to spot “Joliet” Jake, or the harmonica harping Elwood Blues, the duo more commonly known as the Blues Brothers. Team members sport yellow tee shirts with dark top hats and sunglasses made famous by John Belushi and Dan Akroyd’s Hollywood hit, only with a two-wheel twist. The Buell Brothers Racing Team is also made up of a group of cool cats, only instead of making music and creating unbelievable chase scenes on a mission from God, their mission is to work hard, play hard and break land speed records at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. Jake and Elwood would save the Catholic orphanage where they grew up. Founding Buell Brothers member Tom Anderson, known by his friends as Santa Claus for his white locks and jovial smile, helped save his hometown of Siren, Wisconsin, after a tornado leveled the town. At the time Tom was busy making plans to build the first custom-built racer made exclusively from parts out of the Drag Specialties catalog.

“In 1999 I met Fred Fox, owner of Drag Specialties, at Bonneville. We hit it off; anyone that loves Old Style Beer is a good man. I wanted to build a race bike out of the Drag Specialties Fat Book that anyone could build and go racing. Fred loved the idea. In May of 2001 my hometown of Siren was leveled by an F-4 tornado. I called Warren “HD” Davis and said ‘Pete, I need your help’. I sent the parts and told Fred what I was doing. Pete put the FatBook Flyer together. We went racing at Bonneville and set a few records along the way. The bike looked beautiful.”

As for the tornado, “I was President of our local Hockey Association, which also was leveled. With the help from people all over the United States, the hockey rink, and Siren is better than ever. Thanks to everyone for your help.” John Belushi also made a movie about college life called Animal House. It was a carefree time with wild parties, beautiful girls, and lots of beer. Similar conditions brought the Buell Brothers together. Tom tells us how: “As a kid I heard about Bonneville and thought someday, I’ll make it out there to race. I joined the Navy in 1969. Went to Great Lakes boot camp, then received orders to Jacksonville, Florida. I went to Daytona to see Bike Week and motorcycles kind of took over my life. Then came orders to go to Lemoore, California. I called my dad and told him to borrow some money because I was going to buy a Harley, a 1952 Panhead. In my eyes it was beautiful and fast. Five or six of us rode Harleys and decided to get a house together. We found an old farmhouse outside of Hanford. We called it the Animal Farm. It was quite the party house; we had live bands, drank lots of beer, and fiddled with women and motorcycles. Everyone for miles around had been to or heard of the Animal Farm. We met people from all walks of life, and yes, we all got in trouble a few times.”

I asked Tom why the team decided on Buell motorcycles to race. “I wanted to run a Harley at Bonneville, but the big Twins were slow and not aerodynamic. In 1995 Eric Buell got together with Harley and made the S-2 Thunderbolt. I thought wow, Sportster based, fairly fast and aerodynamic. I bought one from Roger Roeszler, who worked at Black Hills Harley-Davidson at the time. We had a bike we thought would go fast, and be fun.” The original Buell Brothers competed for the first time at Speed Week in 1995. The crew consisted of Terry Spears, Joe Taylor, Pete “HD” Davis, Lanny Koch, Lynn “Farmer” Lord, “Motorcycle” Michaels, and Tom “Santa Claus” Anderson. Their rider was Roger Roeszler. “We had the same basic team in place for the first three years and set records of 135.387, 144.002, and 147.819 mph in consecutive years. On the way off the flats in 1995 Roger and I stopped the truck and hugged each other. We had a dream and we accomplished it. That first record was one of the great things that has happened to me in my life.”

Tom fondly recalls: “During speed week we used to ride the race bike back and forth to the KOA where we would stay. We would work on it and take it for a little ride on Wendover's famous two lane blacktop roads. We did that for many years, until a Nevada State Patrol caught us. ‘Boys, I don't think this is legal, how about you?’ he said. After a few nice words with him, we loaded her on a trailer. She’s done all her racing on the salt ever since.” Today, the team has evolved to include women racers. At the insistence of Tom’s sisters, Jill, Joni and Jacky, the Buell Sisters was born. Running a 1995 S-2 Buell Thunderbolt in the production class (P-PP 1350), Erika Cobb from Mitchell, South Dakota, set a record of 130 mph in 2008. Erin Hunter from San Francisco set a new record of 146 mph the following year. “We plan on racing both the Brothers’ and Sisters’ bikes for many years, hopefully setting more records.”

You may have seen Tom on occasion roaming the pits with samples of cheese. I’ve tried it, and it is very good. I asked what it was all about: “Being from Wisconsin, the land of Harley-Davidson and the world’s best cheese, I came up with an idea. I went to see the head cheese maker at Burnett Dairy, and I told Earl about my racing, and competing with people from all over the world. I told him we live in a small community and how our race team might be able to help grow their internet sales. So, now we give away Burnett Dairy Cheese when we race at Bonneville. The people love the cheese, and they get home and order more through the internet. It has turned out to be a great thing for everyone.”

Fast motorcycles, cool sunglasses and flat-brimmed hats, racers with funny nicknames… and cheese. Buell Brothers Racing is on a mission!

CA Considers New EPA Exhaust Sound Law

A key California State Assembly committee has endorsed a proposal to require motorcyclists to have EPA-compliant exhaust systems on their model year 2011 and newer motorcycles, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. On June 28, the Committee on Transportation voted 8-4 to approve Senate Bill 435, introduced by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Oxnard-Los Angeles), which would make it illegal to ride a motorcycle on the road built on, or after, Jan. 1, 2011, that doesn't display a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) label certifying the exhaust system meets sound emissions standards. Riders caught riding model year 2011 or newer motorcycles without this stamp would be issued "fix it" tickets by law enforcement officers. The measure now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration. "Many EPA labels are very difficult to locate on motorcycles," said AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris. "This proposed law could lead to a flurry of tickets for motorcyclists who have legal exhaust systems on their machines with EPA labels that can't be easily seen. It's unreasonable to expect a law enforcement officer to easily locate an EPA label, and it's simply unfair to expect a motorcycle owner to partially dismantle an exhaust system alongside the road to prove the label exists.

"Requiring that a motorcycle display a readily visible EPA label isn't the correct way to address concerns about excessive motorcycle sound," he added. "The only objective way to determine whether a motorcycle complies with sound laws is for properly trained personnel to conduct sound level tests using calibrated meters and an agreed-upon testing procedure." Haris suggested that concerned California motorcyclists contact their state lawmakers and urge them to reject Senate Bill 435.

The AMA has long maintained a position of strong opposition to excessive motorcycle sound. In September 2009, the AMA developed model legislation for use by cities and states seeking a simple, consistent and economical way to deal with sound complaints related to on-highway motorcycles within the larger context of excessive sound from all sources. The model legislation offers an objective method to evaluate motorcycle sound based on the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) J2825 standard, "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles."

2010 Givi Silver Soft Luggage Peek

The new Silver luggage range from GIVI offers versatility, style and function packaged and priced to meet the needs and pocket of our modern day riders. Included in the Silver range is a choice of large or small saddlebags, expandable saddlebags complete with rain covers (built in covers on the smaller saddlebag version), waterproof zippers and shoulder straps. Two tank bags a large detachable section bag and small expandable version, complete with waterproof zippers, GPS/MP3 retractable pocket, rain cover and shoulder straps. Finally in this range we offer our Silver roll bag complete with, built in bungee strap tie downs, waterproof zippers, rain cover and shoulder strap and our Silver tail pack that is also adaptable as a Scooter tunnel bag, complete with built in bungee strap tie downs, waterproof zippers, rain cover and shoulder strap. The full Silver range is made of heavy duty nylon with vinyl accents and reflective trim.

SILVER SADDLEBAGS;

T469 Small saddlebags, 20 – 32 liter capacity, $120.00 msrp T479 Large saddlebags, 29 – 39 liter capacity, $140.00 msrp

SILVER TANKBAGS;

T470 Small tank bag, 13 – 21 liter capacity, $80.00 msrp T478 Large tank bag, 33 – 42 liter capacity, $120.00 msrp

SILVER TAILPACKS;

T472 Tailpack/Tunnel bag, 18 liter capacity, $80.00 msrp T477 Roll bag, 33 liter capacity, $90.00 msrp

ABOUT GIVI With over 30 years experience in the motorcycle and scooter aftermarket segment, GIVI now manufactures and distributes to over 45 countries worldwide with dedicated distributions centers in 12 countries including 2 warehouse distribution facilities here in the US. Starting initially as a fairing manufacturer GIVI has grown to be the #1 choice manufacturer and supplier of hard detachable luggage, that has included factory supplied options for Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Can AM to name a few. The GIVI product range now currently includes an extensive range of hard and soft motorcycle luggage with specific mounting hardware solutions for over 200 model motorcycles and scooters, replacement and universal windshields, as well as a very innovative range of ¾ and modular full face helmets.

2011 BMW K1600GT First Look

release of its Inline Six-powered Concept 6 BMW got rider’s tongues wagging with the at the 2009 EICMA Milan Bike Show. Now the Propeller brand has made good on its promise to extend the K series with the six-cylinder powerplant by announcing its K1600GT and K1600GTL touring motorcycles.

The Inline Six configuration has been used extensively throughout the Bavarian marque’s automobiles, but is now showcased on the two-wheeled side. The new engine features a 1649cc displacement via the undersquare 67.5mm bore x 72mm stroke. The Inline Six layout keeps the same 55-degree forward tilt of the four-cylinder K series engine and despite tacking on the extra two cylinders the new Six measures only 22-inches wide. With its narrow dimensions and 226-lb weight, BMW hails its new mill the “lightest and most compact six-cylinder engine in serial motorcycle production.”

Peak power claims are 160 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 129 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm. And that ample torque will churn out quick, with BMW promising 70% of peak at 1500 rpm. The information released on the K1600 models doesn’t list a specific redline, but the previous Concept 6 described the new mill as revving “almost to 9000 rpm.”

Chain-driven cams actuate the four-valve heads of the, let’s do the math, 24-valve design. BMW touts the cams are compression-molded on the tubular shafts in a process that, compared to “conventional clear-chill cast or steel camshafts,” shaves off an extra 2.2-lbs. The magnesium valve and clutch covers also aim to trim the pounds - though we’re betting these new Beemers aren’t exactly going to be featherweights when we toss them on the scales as the claimed curb weight is conspicuously absent in the PR material.

Ride-by-wire, which BMW dubs E-Gas, controls a central 52mm throttle valve. Riders will choose from three engine modes – Rain, Road and Dynamic – which are selected via button at the right-side handlebar.

The chassis sources an alloy bridge frame that weighs 35 lbs. The frame utilizes the engine as a stressed member, bolting to the six-cylinder unit at eight points. BMW’s proprietary Duolever front end and Paralever swingarm take care of the suspension duties - the Paralever and rear shaft drive redesigned to accommodate the Six’s higher performance output. As befits a BMW touring mount, the ESA II electronic suspension adjustment comes available as an option. The ABS braking system comes standard, with BMW’s Dynamic Traction Control system an optional upgrade on the new K bikes (the DTC system developed first for the BMW S1000RR).

One new development showcased on the K1600GT is what BMW describes as “the first ever ‘Adaptive Headlight’ for motorcycles.” The standard issue Xenon light works via a movable projector that shines onto a mirror. Sensors at the front and rear axles detect the pitch of the bike, with the projector moving to compensate and provide a permanently level headlight. The “Adaptive Headlight” goes one step further, with the mirror itself turning on an axis via stepper motor. A sensor box (used in the S1000RR) relays banking angle, which is then fed through the electronics and adjusts the mirror to keep a level projection beam no matter the lean of the bike.

GT stands for Gran Turismo, so both are tapped out as purpose-built tourers, but there are differences. The GTL is pegged as the heavy-duty luxo-tourer, with a standard top-case and more pronounced pillion amenities. Rider ergos are also different, with the regular GT sourcing an “active seating postion,” which we interpret as a little sportier than the “relaxed, upright seating position” of the GTL. Elaborating on the ergo difference, BMW notes the GTL’s handlebars are positioned further back with the footrests further forward and lower.

Both rides come with standard heated grips and seat, as well as cruise control and on-board computer, with a new color monitor on the instrument console. The GTL also delivers an audio system featuring Bluetooth and satellite radio as well as USB inputs for MP3 players and iPods. The audio system, which is available on the GT as an option, also has a CD player. For you young kids out there reading this in 2012, CDs were these things people used to use to listen to music.

No release date or price has been listed yet. BMW promises further details on the new models at a future date. Hopefully those future details include some decent pictures! We also wouldn't mind word that the original Concept 6 is more than just a styling exercise…