Blog on hold…Baby on the way…

Hi fellow bikers…

There will be a pause for a few days on both this blog and the RTWW twitter stream as family takes priority for this blogger.  My son is to come into the world on Monday and things are going to get a bit hectic.  Nappies (diapers if you prefer), and bottles will be taking the place of blogging, tweeting, web building, and (sniff) bike riding, for a couple of days into next week.

I'll post a pic of the newest member of our biker fraternity if I get  a chance.

Normal service will resume shortly : )

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New Norton…Nice…

Norton Commando 961 SE

The 961 Commando SE marks the bold revitalisation of Norton Motorcycles.
While reminiscent of previous Norton classics the new Commando was built and designed from scratch and boy does it look good.  Norton's web site says it all really;

'This modern roadster reflects the soul of the original machine. Classic
sculptural forms are combined with raw functionalism, laying beautiful
shapes over a structural frame and muscular motor; resulting in a
visual language that is both sensual and purposeful. With a very narrow
waist and curves in just the right places, the 961 is a bike that feels
as good as it looks'

Can't really put it any better than that.

Check out Norton's web site here

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You Can’t Keep a Good Buell Man Down..

Great news today as one of biking most influential figures manages to keep his innovative brand alive.

2009 Buell 1125cr

Erik Buell has breathed life back into his company only days after the last bike rolled off the production line.  Buell returns, with the full backing of Harley Davidson, as Erik Buell Racing.

In it's new guise the company will produce Buell
motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and
motorcycles, along with its 1125R motorcycles under licence from HD, for race purposes only.

“I’m
looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying,” said
Erik Buell. “We’ve got some exciting race development projects in the
works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers
competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond.”

“I’m
pleased that Harley Davidson is assisting Erik in establishing this
business to continue supporting the racing efforts he has had so much
passion for over the years,” said Buell President and COO Jon
Flickinger. “Harley Davidson and the Buell Motorcycle Company will
always be proud of their affiliation with Erik, and we wish him well in
this new endeavor to support Buell racers.”

Well done Erik, is nothing beyond this guys enthusiasm!

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The Last Buell rolls off the line, falling bike sales…Stand By for Action!

Well that's that then, the last Buell has rolled off the production line.  With no sign yet of a venture backed spin out from Harley Davidson that may well be the last ever bike under the Buell brand we're likely to see.

Harley Davidson issued the following statement:….

“A Buell Lightning XB12Scg
rolled off the company’s East Troy, Wis., assembly line, the last of
the 136,923 motorcycles built in the company’s 26 years of operation.  

"Parent Harley Davidson announced on Oct. 15 that the Buell lineup
of motorcycles would be discontinued effective Dec. 18, 2009. Buell
motorcycles will continue to be sold through existing dealers until
inventory is depleted.”

Real heart warming stuff from Harley there….

The bike industry like nearly every other business has taken a bad hit during the recession, which is starting to look more and more like it will be a 'W' shaped one.  This means that for the little bit of relief that appears to be happening now, it could slide back to critical levels again in the New Year….oh joy.

In the UK bikes sales are down a whopping 27% in October 2009 compared to the
same month last year. Overall sales have plummeted by 19.4% so far
this year, which is disastrous.  Some of this is the recession but some is surely down to the bad press generated the testing fiasco which is still rumbling on. 

Ride The WIld Wind will be consulting with several organisations next week to investigate the possiblility of a nation wide campaign for a scrappage scheme for bikes to help the industry.  Bikes aren't a hobby but a legitimate form of transport which are usually more economical and environmentally friendly than cars and certainly heavy goods vehicles, and public transport. 

We'll keep you posted.

Stand by for action!

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Northern Ireland needs more of this..

Port Dover, Ontario, on
Friday the 13th faced a terrifiying influx of bikers of all types for a regular bike meet as reported by Canadian Motorcycle Guide.

Friday the 13th in Ontario

About 15,000 motorcycle riders swarmed into town on Friday in apparently unusually warm weather for mid-November and doesn't it look great!  The next Friday the 13th is in August next year were it's reported x10 more bikers are due!

The U.S. and Canda have regular huge bike events and you'll even find some decent ones in England as well, and I think Northern Ireland is missing out.  Yes bikers here gather for the big sporting events like the North West 200 but apart from some small events there's not much here that could be described as a big bash.

The question is why?  Is it something you would attend? Let us know and Ride The Wild Wind will start working in creating our own N.I. Bike Event for 2010.

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BMW Motorad Concept 6 video..

BMW has a video of its 6-cylinder concept launched at the Milan Motorcycle Show this year.  I cant really say much other than WOW I want one!  Looks just awesome!

When I was a kid I loved the thought of living in the future with its jet packs, star ships, phasers, etc and have been sorely disappointed to find none of this came to pass.

However the one thing I can count on for a touch of futuristic indulgence is motorcycles, and this is a fine example : )

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The Milan Motorcycle Show 2010 Round Up..

Well, a little delayed I know but we got there in the end, here's a round up of news from last week's Milan Motorcycle Show…

First up was a few details of Rieju’s new RS3 sports 125, a
replacement for Rieju’s old RS2 Sportster. It's designed in
partnership with the UK-based Xenophya Design, and while looking good
owes a little more than a nod to Honda styling.

Powered by a Yamaha-Minerelli 125cc engine set in a composite
steel/aluminium perimeter frame it has some great specs and parts
list. Pricing TBC

The Multistrada looks impressive..

Ducati, Ducati, Ducati… Italy's
finest had an unfair home advantage in Milan and boy did they make
the most of it. They launched the undeniably hottest new thing, its
Multistrada 1200 (though the 200 mile at best tank range is still
bugging me) amongst several other new machines.

Ducati Streetfighter

A new 1100 Hypermotard Evo and Evo SP,
which are high class variations of the popular standard
specification 1100 model. According to the company these posher
versions are 7kg lighter and with a 5bhp power increase it should
bring the new bikes to 95bhp.

1198r Ducati Corse

Deep breath, and there's more… The
1198r Ducati Corse, which while you could say it's just a tarted up
1098, it's more of a high class call-girl version of the drool
inducing sports bike.

The upgraded 2010 BMW R1200GS

As mentioned in a previous post BMW launched their incrementally
updated GS and RT models. Not enough to steal the Multistrada's
thunder but perhaps enough (barely) to keep the legions of BMW fans
happy.

The upgraded 2010 BMW 1200RT

The company also revealed a concept bike which appeared to only be
there to showcase the engine, an across the frame 6-Cylinder 1600,
which according to sources within the company will power a new tourer
designed to compete with other mile munchers from Victory, Harley
Davidson, and Triumph.

Triumph Thunderbird

Oh and speaking of Triumph they revealed factory fitted big bore
kits on a limited run for the new Thunderbird giving torque and bhp a
boost. Also mentioned were new paint finishes for some of their
range, with the Thunderbird getting a metallic shimmer to add some
more class to an already great looking bike.

Moto Guzzi v12 Milan Concept bike

Moto Guzzi showed off its new V12
concept at the show, with its eight valve 1200cc engine.
Built to a design by Pierre Terblanche, the concept has a cast
aluminium frame, and apparently is the base from which a number of
bikes can be built upon. Keep your eyes peeled for a series of
production machines in 2010!

KTM 125cc 2010 machines

KTM had a small but significant showing
for its new 125cc learner bike. Hopefully the UK economy can support
the growing number of 'learner' bikes out there in the face of
falling sales and a huge drop in bike test registrations.

That's the update for this year's show, phew!  Roll on 2010 as it looks like we're in for some amazing new bikes…. start saving now!

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The Ducati Multistrada 1200 Launches..

Well what do you think, should BMW be
worried?

Multistrada 1200 Touring

Ducati have finally taken the covers off its much
anticipated adventure bike the Multistrada 1200 and this we have to
admit it looks good, though the proof of concept will be in the ride.
There are three versions of the bike all with Ducati Traction Control
as standard allowing for switchable riding performance to match
various conditions.

The Multistrada looks impressive..

The three bikes are the Standard, S Sport
and S Touring and all allow riding modes of Sport, Touring, Urban,
and Enduro, yes Enduro, so perhaps the pictures of the 1200 off road
weren’t overstating its potential.

Ducati Multistrada 1200..

So technically and looks-wise it
appears to be a very attractive package. A bit surprised by the
chain drive and the tank isn’t overly huge, but then again the GS
off-road suffers from the weight of the huge fuel capacity, so its
maybe a sensible compromise. Ducati are saying the Multistrada is
four bikes in one and on the surface it 150hp wonder seems like it
could well be.

Full technical specs are available here
– http://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspmulti/techspecs.jsp

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The Milan Motorbike Show is on..Yeah Baby!!

Logo for EICMA

Famous as it is for it's fashion
shows a much much more important event this year is the 67th
International Motorcycle Exhibition. Every big manufacturer is there
basking in the Italian sunshine, while we freeze over here …swines.

There will be news aplenty of concepts
and 2010 models with everyone setting up their sales for the New Year
hoping we'll be drooling over the hi-tech wonderment on offer. 
Also this year is a 'show within a show termed Energy for the
Environment.  This will feature a big focus on hybrid and
electric motorcycles and bicycles, giving battery run transport a big
commercial push into 2010.

News from the show is starting to
appear and we'll have a round up of items shortly.

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New featured club – Harley Davidson Riders Club Northern Ireland

Ride The Wild Wind has a new featured club in its N.I. Motorcycle Clubs section.

HDRCNI JPEG

The Harley Davidson Riders Club Northern Ireland is Northern Ireland's longest running Harley club and meets on the 1st Tuesday in every month in the Railway Bar,
Holywood, Co.Down at 8:00pm. Anyone who rides a Harley is very welcome.

Check out their web site http://www.hdrcni.utvinternet.co.uk/home.htm

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