- June 23, 2017
- 18 Comments
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U.S. Still Favors 100% Tariff on Small-Displacement European Motorcycles to Prop Up U.S. Beef
The American Motorcyclist Association has just released a press release addressing the proposed U.S. 100% tariff on European motorcycles displacing 500 cc or less. In short, the U.S. trade representative is still proposing such a tariff in an effort to force European Union countries to ease restrictions on their import of U.S. beef. Here is […]
Yamaha Quick During Friday Practice for Crucial Assen MotoGP Round (with video)
Round 8 of the 2017 MotoGP series is taking place at the iconic Assen circuit this weekend with the championship points battle closer than it has been in several years. The top five riders are currently separated by just 28 points with Maverick Viñales (Yamaha) holding a narrow 7 point advantage over Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati). […]
- June 21, 2017
- 122 Comments
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Harley-Davidson Reportedly Among Potential Bidders for Ducati
A couple of months ago, we reported that Volkswagen, which controls Ducati through its Audi automobile division, is looking to sell the Italian brand as part of a financial restructuring following the emissions scandal that has cost the company billions. A new report posted by Reuters earlier today indicates Harley-Davidson, according to Reuters’ sources, has […]
- June 20, 2017
- 88 Comments
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Is the Ducati V-Twin Superbike Era About to End?
Despite a popular misconception (including, among many MD readers), Ducati is currently at a disadvantage in WSB with its 1200 cc v-twin engine configuration. Although the v-twin superbike has become synonymous with Ducati, Ducati has already stated it is developing a v-four superbike engine based on lessons learned racing a v-four in MotoGP. In MotoGP, […]
- June 15, 2017
- 35 Comments
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Looks Like Ducati Chose to Keep the Right Andrea
Last year, Ducati’s Factory MotoGP team faced a difficult decision when it had to choose between Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone as a teammate to Jorge Lorenzo for 2017. Iannone won a race last year in Austria – ending a six-year drought by taking the first Ducati MotoGP victory since Casey Stoner. Nevertheless, Ducati chose […]
- June 14, 2017
- Chris Rubino
- 94 Comments
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2017 Kawasaki Z900 ABS: MD Ride Review
If you read our press launch report, you know we were impressed by the new flagship naked from Kawasaki, the Z900. Lightweight, nimble and powerful, the Z900 is priced under $9,000. We asked Kawasaki for a test unit following the launch so that we could further evaluate the bike. Here is our report. We had […]
- June 12, 2017
- 44 Comments
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2018 Yamaha YZ450F Completely Redesigned with Smartphone Tuning
Yamaha announced today a completely new 450F motocrosser incorporating the ability to tune the bike from your smartphone (both Apple and Android phones). Both fueling and ignition timing changes can be adjusted on your smartphone and instantly uploaded to the YZ450F via the bike’s onboard WiFi system. The new YZ450F also gets electric starting, a […]
- June 9, 2017
- 48 Comments
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2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and 1000XT: MD First Ride
When Suzuki introduced the original V-Strom 1000 for the 2002 model year, we frankly fell in love with the machine. From our first test, we knew Suzuki had a winner despite the odd looks and the fact that “race replicas” dominated the market at the time. That smooth, torque-rich 1000 cc v-twin, together with extremely […]
- June 5, 2017
- 25 Comments
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Triumph Agreement to Supply Moto2 Engines Signifies Growing Confidence and Financial Status
The old Triumph marque was in receivership when John Bloor bought the name and manufacturing rights in 1983. Bloor was conservative, but smart, reportedly breaking even on his investment in the year 2000, after putting well over £100 Million of his own money into the new Triumph. Sponsoring a race team, or race efforts, was not […]
