Suzuki DR 1981 Motorcycles, page #36

Moto blog

Lehman Trikes Founder Passes at 60

Lehman Trikes announced the passing of its founder and director, John K. Lehman, from heart failure brought on by an embolism. The 2009 Sturgis Hall of Fame member died Jan.

New Delhi Auto Expo 2012 – Motorcycle Manufacturers Draw Battle Lines for World’s Second Largest Market

In past years, the biennial Auto Expo in India slipped under the radar while the industry was focused more on shows such as EICMA in Italy and Intermot in Germany. But with India’s middle class starting to flex its financial muscle while other markets continue to struggle, the New Delhi show is becoming much more prominent, with major OEMs positioning themselves to claim a piece of the India’s 13 million vehicles-a-year market. We’ve already looked at India-produced Royal Enfield’s new Thunderbird 500 and Hero Moto’s hybrid scooter concept which debuted at the Auto Expo, and today we’ll look at what the major international OEMs presented.

Looking after number 1

There was a time when a rider’s number indicated his position from the previous season, with the ultimate accolade being the number 1 emblazoned on the front of the champion's bike. The rise of branding in MotoGP and a rider wanting to market themselves, born from Barry Sheene and his retention of no.7, saw riders decide against displaying their finish from the year before. Rossi, who on winning his numerous championships, stuck with his famous #46 in defence of his titles, instead of stamping a great number 1 on his bikes.

BSB 2012; Mystic Mac investigates

In my opinion, the smartest move in the BSB off season has to be Michael Laverty moving from Swan Yamaha to HM Plant Honda. With a ban on electronics for 2012, and in particular traction control, WFR's Graham Gowland has already proved to Laverty how competitive an EVO spec Fireblade can be - so I’m tipping both these riders to be bang on the money at the Brands Hatch season opener in April. Unlike BMW, Kawasaki and Yamaha, Honda have deliberately developed their road-going Superbike without electronics to give a user friendly feel with good mechanical traction, so it’ll be interesting to see how the opposition copes with their high-tech trickery stripped off.

Stuck for a gift? Solution No3: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki merchandise

After the excesses of KTM and Harley's gifts ranges, Hondas seems tame. But even the sober Japanese firm has a handful of oddities in its line-up. The Japanese have been accused of imitating in the past, and Honda's incorporation of a baby's dummy in its official accessories catalogue mimics KTM's 'Silencer-System Mini Pro'.

Suzuki Announces $4.2 Million Contingency for 2012

American Suzuki is posting $4.2 million in race contingency for the 2012 U.S. road racing and motocross season. The contingency program is open to amateur and professional racers riding 2011 or 2012 Suzuki GSX-R600, GSX-R750 or GSX-R1000 sportbikes and RM85/85L, RM-Z250 or RM-Z450 motocross racers.

Suzuki Giving Away a Motorcycle in Thanksgiving Weekend Promotion

Looking for something to be thankful for? How does a new Suzuki motorcycle sound? American Suzuki is giving away a brand new motorcycle as part of a Thanksgiving weekend promotion.

Hopkins Signs with Crescent Suzuki WSBK Team

American John Hopkins has re-signed with U.K.-based Crescent Suzuki to compete in the 2012 World Superbike Championship. Hopkins raced with Crescent Suzuki this season in the British Superbike Championship, posting an impressive 16 podium appearances including five wins to finish second in the series. His BSB success earned Hopkins wildcard rides in WSBK and MotoGP.

2012 Suzuki Inazuma 250 Announced for UK

Suzuki announced the European version of its GW250 “Baby B-King” entry-level naked where it will be sold as the Inazuma 250. Unveiled at the NEC Show in the U.K., the 2012 Suzuki Inazuma 250 brings back the name Suzuki used for its GSX naked models. Like the larger displacement GSXs however, the new, littlest Inazuma does not appear to be coming to North America.

Suzuki Confirms MotoGP Departure – Hope of 2014 Return

As expected, Suzuki has officially announced its withdrawal from MotoGP racing, though the Japanese manufacturer says it plans to return to the world championship in 2014. Suzuki cites the recession, the value of the Japanese Yen and a series of natural disasters as reasons for suspending its MotoGP program for at least two years. Reports of Suzuki’s withdrawal began circulating earlier this week with some staff members reportedly receiving notice late last week, but signs of Suzuki’s impending withdrawal have been around for over a year.