Buell Motorcycles Ends Production

Today, Thursday, October 15, 2009, an emotional Erik Buell announced that the Buell Motorcycle Co. will no longer produce motorcycles. This is a very sad casualty of the bad economy. Buell has produced some very nice motorcycles over the years. Buell is the only American made sport bike going against the “Big Boys” from overseas. It was a good run & we can only hope that Buell will someday return to it’s rightful place of prominence.

In the video, Erik notes that Harley Davidson will still honor warranties & provide parts & service to current & new Buell owners.

Watch the video on the homepage of the Buell website here: www.buell.com

Neiman Marcus Offers World's Fastest Electric Motorcycle

Leave it to Dallas-based Neiman Marcus to conjure up the world's fastest electric motorcycle for their 2009 Christmas Book.

"Mission One" sports a clean, pure ride of up to 150mph. The emphasis is on quiet so don't expect to hear any pipe action.

MO debuted as this year's TED Conference to rave reviews and many celebrities pre-ordered.

The critics agree that MO is not some lame techie's excuse towards the "green" movement.

What the bike does have is an obsolescence of internal combustion cycling. Crank it up to 150 with an amazing 100 ft-lbs. of instantaneous torque at every speed. (You shouldn’t speed or break traffic laws yada yada yada.)

With zero carbon emissions, the ear-splitting tailpipes and planet-killing exhaust are history (I'm still not sure if this is a plus).

Its liquid-cooled AC induction motor and single-gear transmission also eliminate the distraction of shifting. There’s no need for a gas tank, with a next-generation lithium-ion battery pack that runs a full 150-mile range between charges. Use the interactive interface (just like pro racing teams use) to collect data on your laptop, adjust the throttle maps and tweak the regenerative braking system to suit your riding style.

The amazing profile and clean lines are from world-renowned designer Yves Behar. Neiman's exclusive edition is limited to just 10 bikes tricked out with numbered NM plaques, exclusive wheels, and a special paint job. You are welcome to venture to San Francisco to meet your bike and the people who designed it. You’ll also receive one-on-one training with a pro on a test track, learning the nuances of handling for optimal performance.

Oh right, lest we forget the price: $75,000 (tax, title, and shipping not included).

Triumph Rocket III Has Even More Power

I am constantly amazed by how many people are unaware that Triumph has some stellar bikes out these days.

Case in point: the Triumph Rocket III. For the 2010 model, the bike will sport 165 lb of torque in a 2.3 liter inline triple engine which will provide about a 15% improvement over this year’s model.

Further, with 146 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and weighing in at a solid 807 pounds, you’ve got yourself a serious machine between your legs.

Triumph has also updated the brake components, updated Brembo brakes, and suspension. Further, there are 43mm upside down forks join the twin Kayaba shocks to keep the beast under control.

Now that you know some of the perks about the internal, we hit the external. It comes in black. You are allowed the choice of glossy or matte.

MV Agusta Launches New Models For First Time In A Decade

It's been a long time coming and now Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group has unveiled their first new models in 10 years. MVA believes that their purchase by Harley-Davidson, Inc. in 2008 is now beginning to pay off.

HD's purchase of MVA for $10M was a strategic move to broaden HD's presence in Europe. While many mistakenly believe that most HD's are sold in the U.S., this market actually accounts for less than 50% of new HD sales as the majority are in foreign markets.

There are two new bikes which are geared towards an affluent younger demographic of rider. The new versions are from the Brutale sport bike family and great for those that enjoy a sporty ride.

The 2010 Brutale 990R has a 990 cubic-centimeter engine and will be priced at $15,000 when it goes on sale in the U.S. at the end of this year or early next year.

The 2010 Brutale 1090R has a more powerful engine and will cost $18,000.

For more info:
MV Agusta
Harley-Davidson