1999 Honda Shadow Vlx Deluxe on 2040-motos

Moto blog

OEMs Plug into Electric Bikes

KTM introduced its prototype electric motorcycle earlier this week, and electric bike manufacturer Zero Motorcycles almost immediately responded by opening sales on its 2009 Zero X dirt bike (look for our review of the 2008 model next week!). But these two companies aren’t the only ones exploring the possibilities of electric-powered motorcycles. In September, Japan’s largest industrial information journal Nikkei Business Daily reported that both Honda and Yamaha have set target dates for launching their own electric-powered motorcycles.

Motorcycles at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show

Two weeks ago, I took a break from my regular duties gathering news for Motorcycle.com to fly to Germany to cover the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show for our sister site AutoGuide.com. For two hectic days, AutoGuide editor Colum Wood and I scrambled across the massive 6.2 million square foot Messe Frankfurt trade fair compound, running from press conference to press conference to get the latest on exotic sport cars, futuristic concept models and international unveilings from the automotive world. It was heaven for car lovers, but for me, it meant fighting my way through hordes of photogs, auto-journalists and car show models to get the first photos of four-wheeled goodies from MINI, Ferrari and Lotus.

Gresini Unveils 2012 MotoGP and Moto3 Honda Race Bikes

Last season, Alvaro Bautista rode on one of the best looking motorcycles on the MotoGP grid, the Suzuki GSV-R in Rizla powder blue livery by Troy Lee Designs. This season, Bautista is riding the Gresini Honda RC213V, but instead of its previous white paint job, the Gresini machine is in a sleek black. No reason for the color change was announced, though it’s possible the choice is a sign of mourning for the late Marco Simoncelli whose place Bautista is assuming with Gresini.