1979 Yamaha Xs650 Street Tracker on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Official: Rossi Leaving Ducati for Yamaha Return

In a pair of carefully-timed press releases, Ducati announced it will part ways with MotoGP star Valentino Rossi at the end of the season and Yamaha announced it has signed Rossi to a two-year contract. The arrangement had been in the works for some time now and the two manufacturers had reportedly wanted to wait until Aug. 15 to make their announcements.

Dirt First By MotoVentures

MotoVentures, the long-running (since 1998) dirt bike riding instruction company is changing its name from simply MotoVentures to the more descriptive Dirt First by MotoVentures. The new moniker more appropriately describes the company’s training activities and philosophy about the best way to learn how to ride a motorcycle begins in the dirt. “Our Dirt First training curriculum is very practical with no ceiling or limitations,” says MotoVentures President, Gary LaPlante. ”Our highly qualified, well-trained instructors are capable of teaching everyone from kids to adults and beginners to experts.

India Raises Import Duty on Motorcycles to 75%

The government of India has laid out its budget for 2013-2014, increasing the import duty for large motorcycles. The news will impact several major manufacturers hoping to gain a stake in the world’s second largest motorcycle market. India has become the hotspot for manufacturers but one of the biggest obstacles they face is the duty India levies on luxury goods.