Leaving the rat race behind - Allen Karl Travels Around the World

I think every motorcyclist would just love to toss away the suit and tie, get out from behind that desk, and ride.  Just keep going wherever the motorcycle takes you.  Unfortunately we are not all that adventurous or are willing to take that risk.  There are those that do and one of them is Allen Karl.  He has a new book out called "Forks" about his motorcycle adventure around the world, and he shares his tales along with recipes he enjoyed along the way.  

Thanks for being an inspiration, Allen.  Best of luck with the book!

Learn more here:

Allen Karl

Hero hires former BMW automobile designer to head R&D

Hero Motorcycles out of India has hired a new R&D manager, former BMW Automobile designer Marcus Braunsperger.  Hero currently owns 49.3% of EBR - Erik Buell Racing.  

For more on this, here is the link to motorcycle daily.com

hero-hires-top-german-designer-to-head-rd-division

I am excited about their concept Hastur 620 - great looking bike!

Hastur 620 concept

Silverstone MotoGP this weekend features Brough Superior Moto2 Entry

I am very excited to see the debut of the Moto2 Brough Superior in action at Silverstone August 29 - 31st.  Jeremey McWillians will be riding the monocoque chassis design made from carbon fiber.

I am so excited to see how this beautiful machine will perform.  Fingers crossed for some good TV time!

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/jeremy-mcwilliams-wildcard-silverstone-brough-superior-moto2/

Moto2 Brough Superior Race Bike

Buddy Holly's 1958 Ariel Cyclone Up For Auction in October

On October 5, 2014 a collection of 2000 items from Waylon Jennings will be auctioned in Phoenix, Arizona at the Musical Instrument Museum.  Among the items being actioned is a 1958 Ariel Cyclone that belonged to Buddy Holly.  This motorcycle was a gift to Waylon Jennings for his 42nd birthday.  It has 4,000 original miles on it.  

Here are links to more information:

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-motorcycle-events/remembering-waylon-motorcycle-auction.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=MCC%20eNews&utm_campaign=8.27.14%20MCC%20Shop%20Talk#axzz3Bht7ss8a

http://www.guernseys.com/Guernseys%20New/waylon_jennings.html

1958 Ariel Cyclone

Harley Customs That Do Not Suck - out of England

Ok, I typically am not a fan of Harley Davidson and the whole poser scene that it is.  However, I came across the Shaw Speed and Custom site, and like what I see.  

http://www.shawspeedandcustom.co.uk

Go Captain America!

Captain America bike

Bandit9 - Two Wheel Art from China

Two wheel art in it's finest is coming out of China.  Currently two models of vintage Hondas are available, and they will not break the bank if you are in the market for something completely different.  

EVE has me completely speechless - the 1967 Honda SS looks like nothing I have seen in the motorcycling world.  The fuselage is stunning - and different.  

Eve by Bandit9

The BISHOP CONCEPT is also something to behold.  I want that exhaust!  I wish he posted videos of these bikes running.  

Bishop by Bandit9

Visit them at:

http://www.banditnine.com

Custom Motorcycles Link

I found a fellow lover of custom motorcycles at this site:

Wind-Blown.com

http://wind-blown.com

He posts motorcycles he finds on the web, and what I really love is you can click any photo and you are taken to the website where he found the bike.  He also posts videos - Thanks, Drew!

Wish I was more web savvy (-;

Moto Guzzi 

Some very cool cafe racers from Ton Up Garage out of Portugal

I am always looking at cafe racers, and I found Ton Up Racers website, and they have some beautiful motorcycles they have transformed.  

Visit them at:

http://tonupgarage.tumblr.com

Photo by Ton Up Garage

Exotic and Classic Motorcycles for sale

Some very interesting motorcycles for sale from around the world are posted on this Classic Driver site.  I had never heard of some of these, like the AJS and Douglas.  There are even videos of the motorcycles running.  

You can also check out other exotic cars, collectibles, yachts and mansions.  Ok - so this site is for the rich, but it is always fun to look.  Enjoy!

http://www.classicdriver.com/en/bikes

Hailwood Replica

AJS and Matchless Motorcycles

I stumbled on this list of vintage motorcycle pictures - pretty neat to check out.  Let me know what you think!

http://archives.jampot.dk/general/Pictures_of_models/

AJS - photo by Motorcycleclassics.com

Matchless - photo from theworldofmotorcycles.com

Kawasaki Ninja 30th Anniversary Celebrated at WSBK in Monterey

This year while attending the 2014 U.S. round of World Superbike at Laguna Seca Raceway, Kawasaki unveiled it's 30th anniversary model of the Ninja ZX-14R.  Only 300 of these 2015 Ninja's with ABS will be offered.  It is the exact same shade of Firecracker Red and Metallic Graystone paint as the 1984 Ninja 900.  30th anniversary logos will be on the fairings with a numbered badge on each gas tank.  An original 1984 Ninja 900 was also on display at the track.  

It is hard for me to believe that the Ninja is 30 years old - I remember wanting a Ninja when I was first shopping for a street bike.  At the time, all I wanted was a Ninja.  Since it was my first street legal motorcycle, a Ninja was a little optimistic, so I settled for the EX-500 with the extra fairings.  It was really nice to see kawasaki putting in the extra effort for fans with this unveiling, participating in the track Marketplace, and hosting a Ninja Nights fan party.  

I have attend many racing events, and being a Kawasaki owner, always felt left out of the hospitality tents offered by other manufacturers like Ducati and Honda.  I am proud of the hard work and determination Tom Sykes has, and am glad he is able to put the Kawasaki in the spotlight, and hopefully win another world championship for them.

On Saturday, Tom Sykes of Kawasaki Racing Team thrilled fans by scorching the track by setting a new World Superbike Championship track record of 1’21.811. Sykes’ time was .582 seconds shy of the 1’21.229 track record set in 2012 by MotoGP Repsol Honda Team rider Dani Pedrosa.  Very impressive!

Podium winners race 2

Biking in Hammond’s house! Top Gear

Biking in Hammond’s house! DIY Top Gear – Top Gear Uncovered | Super Car Mag

I love Top Gear!  Here's a motorcycle related video (-:

Brough Superior Moto2 GP – Jay Leno’s Garage

Brough Superior Moto2 GP – Jay Leno’s Garage | Super Car Mag

Moto2 Brough Superior - photo from Jay Leno's Garage