The all-electric off-road enthusiasts at Volcon invite you to join in a round of funding.
Begin press release:
Beginning today, investors of all kinds will have the opportunity to join the growing electric-powersports sector with the announcement of Volcon’s new funding round on crowdsourcing-investment platform WeFunder – the largest funding portal by number of investments, investment volume and investor returns. Investment opportunities are open to the general public by visiting the website: www.wefunder.com/volcon.ev
“In addition to funding rounds for institutional and accredited investors, we are inviting the powersports community and EV start-up investors to also be part of the industry’s evolution to electric by investing in the only 100-percent electric, outdoor powersports company,” said Andrew Leisner, Chief Executive Officer of Volcon. “This way, our customers and EV fans can be part of a company they believe in, while gaining equity in an industry that is accelerating its move to electrification.”
In contrast to rewards-based crowdfunding sites, the platform WeFunder is an SEC-regulated site that allows accredited and non-accredited investors (general public) to own equity in a company for low investment amounts, versus an accredited investor-only offering with minimums that are typically out of reach for the average American.
Volcon Inc. announced this new WeFunder funding round in tandem with the news of a 53-acre property being secured in northwest Austin, for their future factory headquarters which will include multiple production lines. This is the latest example of a leading EV brand joining other major electric vehicle manufacturers in the Austin area, such as Tesla, Ayro and Hyliion, in what is becoming the electric vehicle capital of the world.
The property currently features a trail network through a dense mix of cedar and oak trees that will soon become the company’s proving grounds. Along with a dry creek bed and running river, the property will serve as the perfect location to continually test and refine Volcon’s two- and four-wheeled vehicles, while rapidly incorporating production feedback. In addition to the planned factory-headquarter facilities and proving grounds, future plans also include a customer experience center, off-road demo testing track, as well as an RV, zipline and camping site for Volcon clients to recreate and experience the Volcon lifestyle first-hand.
Pricing for the Stag and the Beast utility and sport UTV models was also announced today. With production to follow in late 2021 into 2022, pricing for the Stag model will start at an MSRP of $14,995 and the Beast will be available for a starting MSRP of $24,995.
Launched to the public in early November, Volcon’s first electrified vehicle, a family-friendly off-road motorcycle named the “Grunt,” will be delivered to customers beginning in Spring of 2021.
Reservations to guarantee a spot in the Grunt production schedule are available now for a small deposit of $100 at www.volcon.com/reserve
KTM will bring the 2021 450 SX-F Factory Edition dirt bike to Australia in March of this year, according to MCNews. This is the machine that KTM has used to win championships and now it will be available in limited quantities for the public to get its hands on.
“Riders still cannot get more ‘READY TO RACE’ than with our new KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition. We knew the bike had to look the part for 2021 but we also wanted to keep all the same special technical details that place this model as one of the flagships of our range. Its credentials are proven,” said Joachim Sauer, KTM’s Senior Product Manager Offroad.
Here’s a look at what the new limited-edition motorcycle will bring to riders:
Updated Red Bull KTM Factory Racing graphics
Connectivity Unit fitted as standard
Ability to connect with myKTM app
Akrapovič slip-on silencer
Factory triple clamps anodised in orange
KTM Factory wheels
Factory start for front fork
Exclusive orange frame
Composite skid plate
Factory seat with Selle Dalla Valle stamp
Semi-floating front brake disc
Front brake disc guard
Orange rear sprocket
Engine updates
Hinson clutch cover
One of the most notable things on this new bike is the Connectivity Unit that comes standard. It allows you to tweak the bike through the myKTM App. You can customize and adjust all of the settings to really make the bike fit you and your riding style.
If you’re interested in getting one of these bikes, you’ll need to get down to your KTM dealer and speak with them. They will be coming in March and in limited quantities.
Tony Serra managed to secure his sixth club level class championship at Willow Springs on November 26th. With this win, he will end his racing career that spans seven decades. He is 81 years old.
Serra’s career started in 1964 with the Association of American Motorcycle Road Racers. That ended in 1970. He then picked things back up in 2008 at the age of 68 when he rented a 250 Ninja from Race Bike Rentals for track days at Willow Springs Motorcycle Club races.
He then bought that motorcycle and hired Lindemann Engineering’s Ed Sorbo as his Crew Chief & Coach. After some racing, Serra began riding Sorbo’s 1990 TZ 250. He won his first club level championship riding that bike in 2010 and became the oldest motorcycle club level class champion at 71 years old.
Over the course of the next decade, Serra would win five more championships. His latest came when he won the WERA West F Super Sport Expert Championship in 2020. According to Motorcycle.com, Serra encourages people everywhere to pursue their dreams no matter how old they are.
Remember, his second try at racing happened when he was in his 70s, so there’s plenty of time for you to pursue your dreams whatever they may be.
After their meteoric rise, expectations will have been raised in the KTM factory for 2021. With two fast test riders at the helm and an exciting line-up for next season, the orange army will head into pre-season testing as leading contenders after three wins, five other podiums, three pole positions and a P5 in the overall rider standings.
Nothing can stop the pace of life, not even pandemics, but MotoGP™ just does it so much quicker than anybody else. I could not believe it. I was still digesting the final Grand Prix of the season at that amazing Portimao circuit when less than 24 hours later the provisional entry list for the 2021 season popped into my inbox.
Brisbane riders have the chance to go wild on a locally designed WYLD mini electric chopper at the “Launch, Show & Ride EV Expo” at University of Southern Queensland’s Springfield Campus next week.
The WYLD is produced by Brisbane-based electric light vehicle company EMoS, formerly known as e-Motion Concepts.
The e-Moped will cost from $A2999 to $A5599 depending on battery size.
EMoS will launch the bike at the event in the USQ’s Springfield campus car park of Block B at University Drive, on 12 December 2020, 9am to noon.
And you can get a chance to have a test ride.
In fact, because it is governed at 50m/h top speed it’s classed as a moped, so you don’t even need a motorcycle licence. (Mopeds can be ridden on a car licence in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.)
Extending the special moped licence to all states is one of the key points of a Two Wheel Action Group petition to state and federal ministers. Click here to read more and sign the petition.
Electric future
While you’re at the Expo, you can see and ride the future of electric vehicles with a display of EMoS light electric vehicles (LEVs) to transport people and goods.
Ride Sports will also display their range of e-bikes and the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) will have information about electric vehicles and some electric cars on show.
As part of the Australian launch of the EMoS WYLD, the company will give away one of their iLARK three-wheeled personal e-scooters to one lucky attendant.
iLARK three-wheeled personal e-scooter
EMoS co-founder Harry Proskefalas visitors will be able to learn more about the coming electric vehicle revolution.
“The venue at USQ Springfield campus is very fitting, with USQ’s own commitment to sustainability, such as the 2 megawatt solar project and green transport initiatives,” he says.
The WYLD features a removable battery and you buy a backup 20Ah battery with 80km of range for $600 or a 30Ah battery with 90km range for $850.
It has fat 12-inch tyres, a solo saddle, mini ape-hanger bars, digital instruments and Harley-esque styling in red or blue.
Honda has filed a patent with the US Patent Office regarding the possible development and production of a brain-machine-interface that allows your brain to completely control the motorcycle.
The patent images are pretty comical actually. They depict a motorcycle rider using his mind to pop a wheelie on what looks like a CBR600RR. In the next photo, he’s doing a full front-brake stoppie.
It’s up to Honda and how they want to develop this hardware/software, but It’s safe to assume that this new BMI (brain-machine-interface) will link you up with the sensors and assists already on the motorcycle to hopefully prevent crashes and have the motorcycle perform more like you hope it would, without the failure of user inputs.
“The control circuitry may determine control information indicative of an intention of the user to perform a specific task using one or more components of the vehicle. The specific task may correspond to one of a vehicle acrobatic maneuver, a vehicle driving maneuver, or a hands-free control of the user assistive device inside the vehicle. Examples of the specific task may include, but are not limited to, a wheelie, a stoppie, a hyper spin, a switchback, a burnout, a left turning maneuver, a right turning maneuver, a braking maneuver, a reversing maneuver, an accelerating maneuver, a decelerating maneuver, a parking maneuver, a traffic circling maneuver, a stopping maneuver, or an overtaking maneuver.”
Bagging a number 1 plate at any age is something. Doing it at age 81 is remarkable.
Note: the photo above is of Tony Serra and Ed Sorbo at Streets of Willow in 2013 after Serra earned his first expert class championship.
Begin press release:
81-year-old Tony Serra clinched his sixth club level class championship at Willow Springs on November 26th, concluding a racing career that spanned seven decades.
Part one of Serra’s career started in 1964 with the Association of American Motorcycle Road Racers and concluded in 1970. A highlight for Serra was racing in the Junior Class of the 1968 Canadian GP at Mosport.
Part two of Serra’s career began in 2008 at the age of 68 when he rented a 250 Ninja from Race Bike Rentals for track days and Willow Springs Motorcycle Club races. Serra purchased that motorcycle and hired Lindemann Engineering’s Ed Sorbo as his Crew Chief & Coach.
Serra is heavier than the kids he raced against and wanted more power for his 250 Ninja. Because adding a turbo to a 250 Ninja is impractical Sorbo offered his 1990 TZ 250. Serra used it to earn his first club level championship. In the 2010 WSMC Novice 250 GP Class,
thus, becoming the world’s oldest motorcycle club level class champion at 71. In 2011 Serra earned both the Novice 250 GP and Novice Ninja Cup Championships with WSMC. By 2013 Serra was an expert and clinched the Moto West GP Lindemann Engineering 250 Ninja Cup Championship.
In 2019 Serra earned the WERA West F Super Sport Expert Championship and in 2020 he concluded his second career by again earning the WERA West F Super Sport Expert Championship.
Of note: Serra’s best TZ lap at Willow Springs is 1.44 and his best 250 Ninja lap is 1.47. Serra’s racing accomplishments are unlikely to be matched however he wants to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams. The Serra Challenge does not require extraordinary skills. Tony Serra encourages you to do the thing that challenges you regardless of age and if it’s motorcycling, all you have to do to join Tony is go racing anytime between the ages of 68 and 81 years young.
Lots of rubber options for the Multistrada V4, depending on how seriously you want to take it to the dirt.
Begin press release:
The new Ducati Multistrada V4, recently presented to the public on the digital platforms of the company from Borgo Panigale, represents the fourth generation of Multistrada and is an important step forward in its offering for the maxi enduro segment. The Multistrada V4 is an even more high performing motorcycle compared to its predecessor; designed to show a sporty attitude and versatility at the same time, capable of tackling all conditions in complete safety, on- and off-road.
Pirelli has worked closely with Ducati since the inception of the Multistrada project in 2003 offering to the company from Borgo Panigale tires focused on supporting the attributes of this machine in terms of performance and safety. The first version of the Ducati Multistrada in 2003 was equipped with Pirelli SCORPION Sync, the new 2010 model adopting Pirelli SCORPION Trail, while the Multistrada 1200 in 2012 was the first to have as original equipment the revolutionary Pirelli SCORPION Trail II tires. With the recent introduction of the fourth generation Multistrada, the partnership between this motorcycle family and SCORPION Trail II is increasingly strengthened, and it is joined this time by the motorcycle additional homologations for SCORPION Rally STR and SCORPION Rally tires.
The Ducati Multistrada V4 range features as original equipment tires Pirelli SCORPION Trail II in the sizes 120/70 ZR19 M/C 60W TL (D) front and 170/60 ZR17 M/C 72W TL (U) rear, a specification developed specifically for the new Multistrada. The sizes chosen for the new Ducati Multistrada have now become the reference for the maxi enduro segment. For this reason, the motorcycle is homologated also for the Pirelli enduro on/off tires SCORPION Rally STR and SCORPION Rally in the same sizes, which are more suitable for off-road use and for the needs of bikers who love adventure.
The Multistrada V4 S and Multistrada V4 S Sport models offer motorcyclists the possibility to be purchased with light alloy cast wheels or alternatively with spoke wheels, which will be directly assembled in the factory. In both cases, the original equipment tires remain Pirelli SCORPION Trail II.
The three different Pirelli tires homologated for the Ducati Multistrada V4:
SCORPION TRAIL II
ON-ROAD 90 / 10 OFF-ROAD
SCORPION Trail II is the perfect combination of the best features offered by an off-road product and those guaranteed by a sport touring tire, specifically designed to meet the most demanding market expectations, and for years the original equipment of prestigious enduro road bikes. Since its market introduction, SCORPION Trail II has achieved 11 victories in the enduro street tire comparative tests. The first one was the one promoted by Motorrad in 2015, the year of its debut. From 2016 until 2019, it’s the winner of 10 additional comparative tests organized by the most authoritative industry publications from Europe, achieving results that make this tire one of the most successful products ever from the Pirelli motorcycle range.
SCORPION RALLY STR
ON-ROAD 70 / 30 OFF-ROAD
SCORPION Rally STR is a tire of the enduro on/off segment that is able to combine the best performance of a rally competition tire with that of an enduro street tire. It’s designed for those motorcyclists that desire a knobby tire with an aggressive look, while being versatile, which translates to a balanced behavior on and off-road. SCORPION Rally STR provides optimal off-road performance combined with excellent handling, grip and stability on the road.
SCORPION RALLY
ON-ROAD 50 / 50 OFF-ROAD
Pirelli SCORPION Rally can rely on the pedigree of the SCORPION family, which carries with it all the experience developed through decades of participation in different off-road racing on different types of terrain, from soft sand to hard rock. Born specifically for desert racing and rallies, the SCORPION Rally range is enriched with new sizes that have been designed especially for high displacement enduro street bikes. This was made possible by the constant research & development work of Pirelli engineers, which pursued an evolution of all the tire aspects: from tread pattern design to tire structure, from profile to compounds. These sizes, including the ones for the new Ducati Multistrada V4, were designed to guarantee excellent off-road performance including better traction, tear resistance and less wear on the tread, and at the same time to provide high mileage and excellent road stability, even at high speeds and fully loaded.
Naturalist Enos A. Mills, known as the father of Rocky Mountain National Park, homesteaded this site adjacent to Colorado Highway 7 in 1885. Story and photos by John Aronson.
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway: Fifty-five miles of Colorado Bliss.
The Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains was definitely created for the benefit of motorcyclists, although it’s been more than 40 million years since tectonic forces elevated these massive peaks. Like the siren’s song to a sailor at sea, I’m motivated to explore this sublime elevated landscape close to my home along the urban corridor that includes Denver and Boulder, Colorado. An hour from my driveway is the 55-mile Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, established by the state of Colorado in 1918. A mecca for motorcyclists, the Byway is just two lanes and it follows the trails originally forged by Native Americans, fur traders and later miners in search of gold and other precious metals.
My Peak to Peak day ride begins where U.S. Highway 6 meets Colorado Highway 119 near the former mining settlement of Black Hawk, Colorado. Hungry riders will find designated motorcycle parking at The Last Shot. Nearby is the gold rush town of Central City, where the downtown storefronts have been restored to emulate their 19th-century origins. Most silver and gold prospecting in Central City and Black Hawk is now done in a bevy of legal gambling casinos. I only want to twist the throttle of my 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer and head north. Leaving civilization behind, the elevation climbs and the views get better around every bend in the road. There are a few hairpins, but this section of the Byway features straight sections linked by spacious turns with just the right amount of camber.
The Central City Fire Department has served the community since the days of bucket brigades.
My plan is to stay on the pavement, but I ride past several dirt roads intersecting the byway that lead to trailheads and campgrounds in the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests. I’ve only traveled 19 miles from Black Hawk, but my priorities include stopping for a freshly baked croissant at the New Moon Bakery & Cafe in the funky village of Nederland. There is plenty of parking on this day, but in March the streets are jammed during the popular “Frozen Dead Guy Days” festival. Look it up. Nearby are the Eldora Mountain Resort and the Caribou Ranch where Elton John, Joe Walsh and a long list of other artists cut tracks in the recording studio there. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the recording studio in 1985.
Founded in 1859, the gold rush town of Central City was once considered the “Richest Square Mile On Earth.”
From Nederland, the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway continues onto Colorado Highway 72, rising to 9,450 feet above sea level. Even though the tarmac up here must endure the ice and snow of winter, there are no frost heaves or bumps to upset my Tiger’s suspension through a series of perfect radius turns that ramble past the former gold mining settlement of Ward. Nearby is the entrance road to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, which has views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, access to several campgrounds and is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
Just north of the town of Black Hawk, riders can satisfy their hunger at The Last Shot roadside restaurant.
As a general rule, the air temperatures are lower at higher altitudes, so when it’s a hot summer day in the cities of Colorado’s Front Range, riders head to the mountains where there might be near perfect riding weather. Of course, mountain riding in high elevations means rapidly changing weather conditions are always possible. When I’m not watching the road ahead, I notice massive dark clouds replacing my perfect blue skies. Afternoon rainstorms in Colorado are common during the summer months. Stopping to don my rain gear, I meet Mark aboard his Honda Gold Wing F6B towing a trailer and his wife Kim riding her CanAm Spyder. Beginning in their home state of West Virginia, they were halfway through a 6,000-mile journey to all of the lower 48 states. Soon after we part ways, it starts to pour down rain. My ride through the cloudburst lasts only 15 minutes, and happily I stay dry yet all the dead bugs have been washed from my windscreen! Looking back, the intensity of riding through a sudden storm made me feel more connected to my machine and the road beneath its wheels.
Mark and Kim included the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway on their ride to all of the lower 48 states.
I follow the byway onto the freshly paved asphalt of Colorado Highway 7 that rolls past the small resort town of Allenspark. The town was once the site of international ski jumping competitions and is near the Wild Basin entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a good place to stop and take in the scenery, but on my ride the afternoon clouds obscure the summits of 13,911-foot Mount Meeker and 14,259-foot Longs Peak.
The author poses near the intersection of Colorado Highway 72 and Colorado Highway 7.
Fortunately for me, the tarmac has dried out and there’s very little rain-induced gravel or traffic to impede my Triumph’s progress through a series of lovely S turns down into Estes Park at the northern end of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. There may be more famous roads, but this one has all the attributes riders crave, including fantastic vistas connected by ribbons of smooth pavement that are ideal for leaning through an endless supply of corners. There’s very little cross traffic, no traffic lights and I only remember two stop signs! Although the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is only 55 miles long, plan to spend most of your day exploring its charms. During my mid-week ride, I estimate that there was one motorcycle to every three or four cars I saw on the road! From Estes Park, Peak to Peak day riders can easily return to metropolitan Denver, Boulder or Ft. Collins. Estes Park is also a popular gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and has abundant diversions for motorcyclists looking for good grub, camping and hotels. The historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park was opened in 1909 by the steam car pioneer, Freelan Oscar Stanley. The hotel is rumored to be haunted and was the inspiration for author Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Even though I don’t believe in ghosts, I decide to head for home….
Looking west from Colorado Highway 7, the view of Mt. Meeker’s summit is obscured by clouds.
Favorite Ride: Peak to Peak Scenic Byway Photo Gallery:
Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
