Cyril Huze Blog – World's Number One Source For Custom Motorcycle News

Ducati To Add Premium Bikes To Attract High-End Buyers. While most motorcycle manufacturers are conceiving smaller engine size and more affordable bikes, Ducati Motor Holding SpA, now owned by Volkswagen AG, will roll out 4 new motorcycles next year to attract more high-end buyers. The new bikes will be “premium products as we’re not looking for low cost and low capacity motorcycles,” Chief Executive Officer Claudio Domenicali said in an interview at the company’s headquarters in Bologna, Italy. “We are targeting a good but sustainable growth.” The new offerings from Ducati, whose bikes are owned by actors Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, will include the 899 Panigale, which goes on sale in the U.S. in November with a starting price of $14,995. The new 148-horsepower superbike was unveiled at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt this week. Two additional new models, which “will share the sport value of the brand,” will be shown in Milan in November, the CEO said. “We are changing the way we think as we are part of a bigger group,” said Domenicali who has been working at Ducati since 1991 and took over as CEO in April.

Bikers Against Tolls to Hold National Mass Protest. Bikers Against Tolls will hold a national mass protest ride this Saturday against e-tolls and unfair toll charges for motorcycles. Bikers Against Tolls explains that the authorities have refused to make adjustments in the current tolling system to accommodate smaller motorcycles and to charge a proportionate toll fee. It seems the protests are becoming more intense and vigorous in their opposition of the e-tolls.

Polaris to Provide ATVs to German Army. Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), the leading manufacturer of off-road vehicles, announced that the company was awarded a contract to provide MV850 ultra-light tactical vehicles to the German Army. The highly-mobile MV850 platform, which was built specifically for the U.S. military and allied forces, allows for the transport of military personnel and gear through extreme off-road terrain. “Defense forces around the world are seeking Polaris Defense Military vehicles to take advantage of our ability to make modifications to our commercial off-the-shelf technology (COTS), insert customer requirements and quickly deliver an end product that meets their needs,” said Rich Haddad, general manager of Polaris Defense.

Bombardier Plans To Bring Three-Wheeled Motorcycles To India. Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) has sought the Indian government’s permission to introduce its Y-shaped three-wheeled Spyder Roadster model motorcycles in the country. The Indian ministry of heavy industries and department of road transport and highways is evaluation whether this motorcycle (3-wheeled Spyder Roadster) should be imported under motorcycle category or 3-wheeler category… Of course, the Spyder Roadster is classified in the US by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a three-wheeled motorcycle.

Yamaha Champions Riding School will cease operations effective October 16, 2013. The Yamaha Champions Riding School, a division of Miller Performance located at Miller Motorsports Park, will discontinue operations at the conclusion of its final school on October 16, 2013. The decision to discontinue the school is based upon an in-depth evaluation that determined the school could not be profitably sustained over the long term. Miller Motorsports Park will continue to look at hosting world-class motorcycle events, including the GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship series. responded to the discrepancies in toll charges noted by B.A.T. by saying: “If SANRAL were to differentiate between motorcycles and other light vehicles on the basis of their mass and the number of wheels on the vehicles only, the organisation could save motorcyclists no more than these few cents.” It appears that bikers are very interested in saving these “few cents”.