Here is the first full gallery of pics of the new BRD RedShift SM electric supermotard. As the US outfit attempts to achieve electric bike performance that can surpass that of fuel-powered bikes, hop on over to A&R to find out just how they’re doing that. The pics come direct from the BRD workshop and we can see what a great looking little bike the RedShift is, too.

The challenge for BRD has been to give the RedShift the kind of performance they were aiming for, while keeping weight down which is not an easy enterprise when using a 5.1kW battery. No official technical specs are available yet, including weight (although BRD says they’re sitting at about 113 kg right now), as the model is still in prototype phase but the company has so far given itself some publicity and is making some nice stuff. More to come in the future.

We were feeling harried after the end of the MotoGP and Superbike 2010 season, and all the news presented at the 2010 Intermot and EICMA shows. But now as Christmas rolls around and we’ve got the time to start dreaming about the 2011 motorcycle market, we can take the time to look at what the new motorcycle models for 2011 are, divided by brand.

We’ve obviously got our favourites and as our selection of pics suggest, for the hottest, most gorgeous 2011 bike around, the new MV Agusta F3 is our winner. We’ll be interested to see how the new Triumph Tiger goes in its challenge to the BMW F800GS, while we’re also keen to hear more on Honda’s production plans or otherwise for the Honda Crosstourer Concept and Crossrunner models. Despite having a special spot for Italian bikes here, we just don’t get the Ducati Diavel but will be interested to see if it increases Ducati’s slice of the US market, in which case we’ll tip our hat to a not-so-silly model after all.

Obviously there are the old standards from many manufacturers while Aprilia and Ducati were busy throwing all the electronics they could get their hands on at the RSV4 Factory APRC Special Edition and the 1198SP. Most of the 2011 motorcycles after the jump are new versions of bikes we already know, but there are a couple that stand out for a segment shake-up, including the KTM 125 Duke. See what’s in store in our list after the jump, of most of the big motorcycle manufacturers.

2011 Motorcycle market

Aprilia

Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200
Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC Special Edition
Aprilia RS4 50 and 125 2011
Aprilia Tuono V4 R

Beta

Beta RR 350 2011
Beta Evo 2T 2011
Beta RR 50 Motard Skull
Beta RR Enduro 4T 400/450/520 2011 MY

BMW

BMW K 1600 GT and K 1600 GTL
BMW R 1200 GS Triple Black
BMW R 1200 R 2011
BMW R 1200 R Classic 2011
BMW G 650 GS 2011
BMW Concept C

Ducati

Ducati 1198 and 1198SP
Ducati Diavel
Ducati Monster 1100 Evo 2011

Honda

Honda CBR125R 2011
Honda CBR250R 2011
Honda CBR600F 2011
Honda Crossrunner
Honda Hornet 2011
Honda SH300i 2011
Honda SW-T600 ABS
Honda CRF450R and CRF250R 2011
Honda CRF250X and CRF450X 2011

Husqvarna

Husqvarna CR125 and WR125 2011
Husqvarna TE449, TE511 and TC449 2011
Husqvarna WR250 and WR300 2011
Husqvarna TC250, TE250 and TE310 2011
Husqvarna CR50 and SM50 2011
Husqvarna TE 250 Meo Replica 2011
Husqvarna Concept Studio Mille3

Kawasaki

Kawasaki D-Tracker 125 2011
Kawasaki KX250F and KX450F 2011
Kawasaki KLR450R
Kawasaki Z750R
Kawasaki Z1000SX 2011
Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager Custom
Kawasaki W800
Kawasaki Ninka ZX-10R

Kymco

Kymco Agility Carry 50
Kymco G-Dink 300i 2011
Kymco DJS 50
Kymco People GTi 200

KTM

KTM 125 Duke
KTM 1190 RC8 R Track
KTM 990 SM-T ABS
KTM 990 Adventure 2011
KTM 990 SuperDuke 2011
KTM 690 Duke 2011

Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi V7 Clubman Racer
Moto Guzzi Norge 8V
Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 2011
Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX 2011

MV Agusta

MV Agusta F3

Piaggio

Piaggio Typhoon 2011
Vespa PX, Sport, Touring and “Vie della Moda”

Suzuki

Suzuki GSR750 2011
Suzuki GSX-R 600 2011
Suzuki GSX-R 750 2011

Triumph

Triumph Daytona 675R
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 2011
Triumph Tiger 800 / Tiger 800 XC
Triumph America 2011
Triumph Thunderbird Storm 2011
Triumph Speedmaster 2011

Yamaha

Yamaha EC-03
Yamaha Offroad YZ450F and YZ250F, WR450F and WR250F
Yamaha X-MAX 125 ABS e MAX 250 ABS 2011
Yamaha X-MAX 250 Sport 2011
Yamaha Worldcross
Yamaha TechMAX and ABS models

With a revamped website for 2010, Ducati has burst into the new year with its new Multistrada model, which has already created plenty of talk since it was first seen live at the EICMA show in November. We’re putting it on our best bikes for 2010 list, even if it’s not quite a stunning superbike model.

The Ducati Multistrada won best bike at the EICMA show, and whether due to the strength of the local market presence or not, for an Italian bike, Italy is always a good place to start. I’m still not quite convinced by the four-bikes-in-one philosophy, but then I haven’t ridden the Multistrada and so can’t say whether this design will work or not.

Whether switching the various mapping modes of Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro, will meet their various purposes to the full, we can’t deny the Testastretta 1198 cc engine or its four-valve technology. Ducati has thrown a lot at its new Multistrada, and it’s provided a new element in the mix of bikes available for 2010, that has grabbed our attention more than the new MV Agusta F4, or the BMW S1000RR. Would it be on your list or not?

The verdict on the new Norton Commando 961 SE is that it’s an “invigorating machine”. Depending on your ride style and the kind of bikes you like, that statement might appeal or not. It’s important to note however, the purpose behind this bike. It had to be something traditional, based on good machinery, and not the latest cutting edge, superbike technology.

It seems that the performance matches the looks - the Commando 961 SE is an attractive-looking bike and the ride feel is what you’d expect when you first see it. What I can’t believe is how agile the 961 SE looks, and we learn from the video from the guys at MCN that it is very comfortable and natural to ride, given the light, slender style.

Despite concentrating on a retro bike, Norton hasn’t budgeted on top-notch modern components. The Ohlins at the front is just stunning, it has Brembo brakes and the wheels are carbon fibre. The parallel V-Twin engine handles marvellously, and overall the verdict is that this is a job well done. See after the jump for MCN’s first ride of the Norton Commando 961 SE.

Norton Commando 961 SE

The 2010 Buell range is still up for purchase if you want to get your hands on some of the last Buell’s to be made, at least at this stage. While it’s hard to accept that Buell will become another part of motorcycling history, at the moment there are no plans to keep the brand alive or find future alternative strategies.

The Buell Lightning XB12Scg was the last Buell off the production line on October 30. It is equipped with the V-Twin Thunderstorm engine at 1203 cc with 103 hp and about 113 Nm of torque, and a dry weight of 180 kg. It has six-spoke cast alloy wheels, underslung exhaust, alluminium frame and rear swing arm, and Buell Zero Torsional Load brakes with eight-piston caliper.

I’m a little bit cynical about Harley Davidson’s decision to keep the Buell brand but shut down production altogether. The idea is that in doing so, Harley will protect the Buell brand in the long term and give assurances to current and future owners for the next ten years that these people can still get their Buell serviced and get spare parts, too.

2010 Buell XB12Scg

So they’ve still got some costs anyway, but they’ve also still covered their backside in case they want to bring Buell back. Or were they really concerned that selling off the brand meant someone else would do Buell better than them? Harley Davidson is going to sell MV Agusta and will likely make a nice packet from it, why not Buell, too?

It’s a terrible thing to say, but if you ever wanted to buy a Buell, now is definitely the time to do it. And I’ll bet that October 30 was a really shit day for the guys at Buell. Like, nothing that “a bad day at work” would ever go close to describing.

The debut of the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 at the EICMA has been confirmed, after we first reported the Multistrada countdown site, giving Ducati the opportunity to monopolise media attention at the show. In the end, just because Honda and Yamaha won’t be present, doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t have some fun!

The EICMA runs from November 10th to 15th at Milan’s “Fiera” and Ducati will be in hall 18, showing off the Multistrada which will be presented to the public for the first time ever. The bike is set to be a mix of sports ride with versatilility and comfort, and of course, quintessential Ducati style.

The Multistrada name translates to “many roads”, which is just what the spirit of this bike is about. It’s designed to be an all-road terrain bike with top notch Ducati technology and performance which adapt themselves to the individual needs and riding style of the owner. While Honda has the head-start on sports touring models with its VFR1200F, the Ducati Multistrada 1200 is designed to include touring elements as well as being a supersports model that is flexible enough for daily use as well as some soft-offroading in the form of an enduro-road model.

The engine on this new Ducati is none other than the Testastretta featured on the Ducati 1198. Engineers and mechanics at Borgo Panigale have managed to exploit the power and elasticity of this motor, fitting it to the Multistrada in order to get the performance and flexibility you’d associate with a bike of this kind. The new Testastretta 11° has thus been developed, and we can’t wait to see it all at the EICMA.

Source | Motoblog.it

The 2010 Yamaha YBR125 is a nifty-looking machine with a few updates for the new year, keeping it an adaptable bike for agile city riding. 2010 sees the YBR125 fitted with a newly designed muffler and tank covers for greater protection.

The YBR125 first appeared in 2005, and still has its reliable 125cc, four-stroke engine with five-speed gear box. It has met with success, with more than 75,000 units sold. It now includes modifications to make it more comfortable and passenger friendly, with additional grab handles. Technical details are after the jump.

Features -

* Fuel-injected, air-cooled 125cc engine
* Lightweight diamond-shaped steel chassis
* Front disc brake for smooth stopping
* Clear analogue instrument panel with RPM meter
* Roomy, dual seat with luggage rack

Engine -
Engine type Air-cooled, 4-stroke, forward inclined single cylinder, 2-valve, SOHC
Displacement 124 cc
Bore x stroke 54.0 x 54.0 mm
Compression ratio 10.0 : 1
Maximum power 7.5 kW (10 PS) @ 7,800 rpm
Maximum torque 9.6 Nm (0.98 kg-m) @ 6,000 rpm
Lubrication system Wet sump
Fuel System Fuel injection
Clutch type Wet, multiple disc
Ignition system TCI
Starter system Electric and kick
Transmission system Constant mesh, 5-speed
Final transmission Chain
Fuel tank capacity 13 L
Oil tank capacity 1.2 L
Chassis -
Chassis: Diamond shaped
Front suspension system Telescopic forks
Front travel 120 mm
Rear suspension system Swingarm
Rear travel 105 mm
Caster angle 26º 20′
Trail 90 mm
Front brake Single disc, Ø 245 mm
Rear brake Drum, Ø 130 mm
Front tyre 2.75-18 42P
Rear tyre 90/90-18 M/C 57P
Dimensions -
Length 1,980 mm
Width 745 mm
Height 1,080 mm
Seat height 780 mm
Wheel base 1,290 mm
Minimum ground clearance 175 mm
Wet weight 124 kg

John McGuinness won a record breaking 2009 Dainese Superbike TT yesterday and celebrated his 15th career TT win on the Isle of Man.

McGuiness did three laps of the six, averaging more than 130mph, setting a new lap record of 130.442mph on his second lap and also setting a new race record of 1h 46m 7.161s and winning 18.11 seconds clear of HM Plant Honda team-mate Steve Plater and almost 34 seconds ahead of third place Guy Martin.

The winner’s garland was presented to McGuinness by reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi.

Source | iomtt

Need a motorcycle race fix and tired of rewatching your old race videos? Try checking Speedbox.Tv on Boxing Day, December 26th and catch the entire day of racing in live streaming for NZ $9.95 at the New Zealand’s Wanganui legendary Cemetery Street circuit also known as the Southern Hemisphere’s Isle of Man

This year the classes are, F1 Supers, 600 Supers, Formula Three, BEARS (British, European& American Racing), Post Classics, SuperMotards, Formula One and Classic Sidecars, and the popular feature race the “Robert Holden Memorial”. For more info log on to www.speedbox.tv

Source | roadracingworld

The Yamaha MT-01 2009 model is available in the new colour of Midnight Black with KODO design and a new red graphite air conductor unit.

The Sport Roadster is equipped with a twin cylinder, V, 1670cc engine, with the incredible torque that is feature of the previous model.

Following is an MT-01 gallery, including some images of the MT Performance accessory range.

Go to the Yamaha site for full technical details of the MT-01 2009 model.

Hyosung is a Korean company that manufacturers motorcycles at cheaper prices, and for 2009 is updating its Comet GT650R model.

As seen on the company’s US site, the 2009 model will finally have electronic ignition and immobiliser alarm, along with some new graphics and a higher seat (heightened by 30mm). The front brake calipers are now radial.

The GT650R from keeps its 2008 engine of a 647cc twin cylinder, four valves and twin cam system with maximum power at 79hp at 9000 rpm. The weight is about 193kg and maximum speed is about 220km/hr. The price is 6,300 euros.

Source | Bikes in The Fast Lane

This is a great video from the guys at MCN (and we’re a little jealous), of a group bike test that they complete on a European motorcycle road trip. They examine the Harley Davidson XR1200, putting it up against a Ducati GT1000 and Moto Guzzi’s 8v 1200 Griso. Their conclusion? The XR1200 is not a benchmark sports bike.

The second video below is all in Italian, but gives you a close-up look at the Harley XR1200. From Tor Sagen, at Raptors and Rockets, and shown on MotoTV, the racing version comes off well, with the conclusion that fun is guaranteed.