I stumbled across this whilst Christmas shopping, and was about to AD TO CART when I decided to get an electric chainsaw and leaf blower instead. I’ve always kind of wanted a 576cc V-four two-stroke that makes 195 horsepower and weighs 280 pounds to ride casually around on MO’s semi-annual track days and whatnot, but I generally shy away from things that require you to inquire about pricing. Sounds expensive. Supposedly they’re only building 99 of them.

But this one’s USED, a crusty old 2017 model with 490 km on the clock! It’s time to drive a hard bargain. According to Roadracing World last year, the going rate was 128,000 Swiss Francs, which is just under $129,806.21 today. Will you take a custom 2000 R1 streetfighter in trade?

Built by the company founded by ex-GP star Eskil Suter, which was and is a supplier of the finest racing components, the Suter MMX500 is of course the real-deal version of the 500cc factory racers we loved and were terrified by as youths – but modernized with fuel injection and the latest in suspension, brakes, etc. What it does not have are the things I’ve grown to depend upon: traction control, lean-sensitive ABS, cruise control. Suter says its extra 76cc of displacement is part of the tuning it’s done to make things a bit less peaky, and therefore slightly more forgiving than the real deal. Good to know.

For more info, shoot a line to Amatumoto.com in Barcelona, Kaming, and tell them MO sent you. Maybe we get a kickback?

If you refuse to buy used, your North American contact for a new Suter is here.

(By the way, if you’re looking for work, speak German and wouldn’t mind relocating to Switzerland, Suter is hiring.)

The post Suter Yourself appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Check out the 2019 Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series schedule to see if any of the 16 events land near you. 

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The post AMA announces 2019 Beta AMA National Dual Sport Series schedule appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

If you’re planning on attending the 47th annual BMW MOA International Rally in June, you’ll be happy to hear Mezeler will be sponsoring the event and providing on-site technical support, in case you’ve been curious about trying the brand’s touring and/or adventure riders. 

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METZELER Tire North America (Metzeler) is pleased to announce that it will serve as an official sponsor of the 47^th annual BMW MOA International Rally that is scheduled for June 13-15, 2019, in Lebanon, Tennessee. The James E. Ward Agricultural and Community Center / Wilson County Exposition Center will serve as the host venue in the southeast and marks the beginning of a new three-zone rally rotation that will see the rally moved each year between the Eastern, Western, and Central United States.

Since its inception in 1973, the BMW MOA International Rally has been held in 25 different states and Canada, averaging more than 5,000 motorcycle enthusiasts in attendance annually. The private event is open to BMW MOA members and guests and welcomes riders on all brands of motorcycles. Rally attendees will be entertained with scenic riding routes, daily riding seminars, nightly musical entertainment, and vendors showcasing their latest products.

“Everyone at Metzeler is looking forward to partnering with such an iconic event as the 2019 BMW MOA International Rally”, said Emily Grannis, marketing director, Metzeler. “The camaraderie that surrounds this event is really special and the new three-zone rally rotation is going to allow motorcyclists around the nation to share in an incredible experience, which includes exciting new locations each year. Metzeler remains dedicated to supporting the two-wheel community and will be providing on-site technical support, including our high performance and durable adventure and touring tire lineup.”

Metzeler will be on-hand to support the rally and showcase its wide-ranging motorcycle tire lineup, including the KAROO STREET, KAROO 3, TOURANCE NEXT, ROADTEC 01, and ROADTEC Z8 INTERACT tires.

Registration is set to open on January 1, 2019, and will run through the duration of the event. The full registration fee (excluding children and day passes) includes admission to the rally Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, entry into door prize drawings, eligibility for grand prize drawings, and the BMW MOA prize bike.

CLICK HERE to view more information regarding the 2019 BMW MOA International Rally.

To view Metzeler’s complete line of motorcycle tires CLICK HERE.

The post Metzeler Becomes Official Sponsor of the 2019 BMW MOA International Rally appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

After several years with Arai, Cal Crutchlow is switching his helmet loyalties to HJC. 

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HJC Helmets have reached an agreement with Cal Crutchlow to become his official helmet sponsor for 2019 and 2020 in the MotoGP World Championship.

Cal has been a permanent fixture on the MotoGP grid since 2011 and the British rider continues his relationship with Team LCR Honda in 2019 after celebrating three podiums in 2018 including a victory in Argentina. Unfortunately, an injury sustained in Australia excluded Cal from the final three races of the season.

Cal earned his first MotoGP victory in Brno 2016 at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix České Republiky, this new partnership hopes to see many victories together, maybe even on another HJC podium, and this time at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix Deutschland in 2019.

A well-respected rider by all in the paddock, Cal will become a vital part of HJC’s racing program. His maturity and experience on track bring important knowledge to contribute to the development of HJC’s products, building on their 47 years of experience in manufacturing quality motorcycle helmets.

“I am very pleased to announce my new partnership with HJC Helmets. They’ve grown their presence in the MotoGP paddock over the past few years, sponsoring races and I’m happy to join the family. Despite being a huge company, they haven’t lost the personal approach and relationship, and this means a lot to me. Their helmet is a great product and I’m looking forward to working with them to continue to develop and evolve their design.”

– Cal Crutchlow

“HJC is a family business, so when we welcome a new rider they become part of the family. Cal Crutchlow is a very competitive rider who maintains good sportsmanship on and off the track. We look forward to having him join the HJC family and representing HJC Helmets around the world.”

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We’re happy to see Pastrana named as the AMA’s 2018 Motorcyclist of the Year.

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The post Travis Pastrana named AMA 2018 Motorcyclist of the Year appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Here at MO, we love electric motorcycles. So, imagine our excitement when this press release slipped over the transom this morning. Perhaps, with this increase in production, we can arrange for a full test, instead of a brief but speedy ride, of the Lightning Motorcycles LS-218. Fingers crossed…

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Lightning Motorcycles Expands Into New Corporate Headquarters To Support Increased LS-218 Production

Lightning’s New Corporate Headquarters in San Jose 

Lightning Motorcycles, manufacturer of the fully electric LS-218 Superbike – the fastest production motorcycle in the world, is announcing today its first phase of expansion into its new Corporate Headquarters and Production Facility located in San Jose, California.

The new San Jose based facility offers five times the square footage when compared to Lightning’s previous San Carlos location. This larger building provides Lightning with the ability to dramatically expand production of the LS-218 Superbike, as well as an in-house design studio for designing future Lightning products, increased research and development capabilities and additional office space to accommodate the expanding Lightning team.

LS-218 and Beyond 

The fully electric Lightning LS-218 represents a halo bike in every sense of the word. Developed by Lightning from the ground up, it utilizes the most technologically advanced electric motorcycle powertrain in existence to deliver a 218 mph top speed, over 200 horsepower at the rear wheel and twice the torque of a MotoGP race bike. This powertrain not only makes the LS-218 the fastest production motorcycle in the world, but is also vastly more efficient than its gasoline powered counterparts. The LS-218’s technology has been validated in numerous racing victories including setting multiple land speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats as well as taking First Place Overall in the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb, beating the second place finisher by over 20 seconds.

While Lightning will continue to push the boundaries of performance, in-line with the mission to create two-wheel electric transportation with superior efficiency, performance and affordability than current gasoline alternatives, Lightning is leveraging its technology to expand its product lineup into multiple motorcycle segments targeting mainstream riders. Announcements of new Lightning products will begin in the coming months.

About Lightning Motorcycles

Lightning Motorcycles manufactures the highest performing and most advanced electric motorcycles in the world. Our halo product, LS-218, pushes the boundaries of what is possible for an electric superbike.

Lightning was founded in 2009 to offer consumers the highest performance, best quality and value in each product segment. Lightning is dedicated to developing exciting new products that will attract new motorcycle riders based on ease of operation, superior user experience, and accessible performance.

For any press related inquiries, please reach out to Matt Schulwitz, VP Communications at [email protected]

The post Lightning Motorcycles Headquarters To Increase LS-218 Production appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

For one thing, they’ve just added some new Africa Twins to the fleet, for another Ecuador Freedom Bike Rental and Tours have just released a new self-guided, 10-day, all paved motorcycle adventure tour, the Backroads of Ecuador Self-Guided Tour. This ride is designed to take you on Ecuador’s best paved roads and to enjoy the most unique and luxurious lodging available in the country – explorating the three distinct “worlds” of continental Ecuador: the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific Coast. “Excellent for two-up riding and for groups of friends looking for great riding and very comfortable accommodations,” says Freedom, “you can ride it with any of our motorcycles or 4×4.” They’ve got tons of other options.

Why haven’t I been yet? Click here.

* The doldrums are due to the Coriolis effect. The key to the Coriolis effect lies in the Earth’s rotation. Specifically, the Earth rotates faster at the Equator than it does at the poles. Earth is wider at the Equator, so to make a rotation in one 24-hour period, equatorial regions race nearly 1,674 kilometers per hour (1,040 miles per hour). Near the poles, the Earth rotates at just .00008 kph (.00005 mph).

Let’s pretend you’re standing in Quito and you want to throw a ball to your friend in Des Moines, Iowa. If you throw the ball in a straight line, it will appear to land to the right of your friend because he’s moving slower and has not caught up.

Fluids traveling across large areas, such as air currents, are like the path of the ball. They appear to bend to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. The Coriolis effect behaves the opposite way in the Southern Hemisphere, where currents to bend to the left. Hurricanes and tornadoes in the northern hemisphere spin counter-clockwise while cyclones in the southern hemisphere spin clockwise.

 So, in the middle – the tropical convergence zone – they cancel each other out. It is why it is scientifically impossible to have tornadoes or hurricanes in Ecuador.

  Continue Reading….

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Indian continues to extend its tentacles into the US market, and just announced it will be title sponsor of the 2019 One Moto Show in Portland February 8-10. One Show founder Thor Drake will be unveiling an FTR 1200 he designed and customized for this year’s show, and Roland Sands Designs’ Super Hooligan race team will be racing aboard the FTR 1200 in The One Pro Super Hooligan Race.

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Indian Press Release:

MINNEAPOLIS (December 19, 2018) – Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, today announced its title sponsorship of the 10^th annual One Moto Show in Portland, OR. In celebration of the new partnership, The One Moto Show founder Thor Drake will unveil an Indian FTR 1200 that he designed and customized for this year’s show. The bike will be on display at the show and put through the paces as it will be raced at The One Pro Super Hooligan Race.

Thor Drake celebrates his 2015 Las Vegas Superprestigio victory (aboard a Harley-Davidson XG750).

The One Moto Show was conceived by Drake, owner of See See Motor Coffee Co. Drake wanted to create an event for friends who shared a passion for motorcycles and hosted the first show 10 years ago in an old abandoned foundry in Portland. The event has grown from its humble beginnings to a one-of-a-kind motorcycle show known for showcasing a variety of unique, unconventional bikes and serving as a gathering place for motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world. As title sponsor for its 10^th anniversary, Indian Motorcycle will feature a display at The One Moto Show and highlight the highly-anticipated FTR 1200 and the stripped-down, blacked-out Scout Bobber along with a variety of customs by builders like Roland Sands, Carey Hart, and more.

“Thor Drake is a pioneer in the motorcycle industry, continuously challenging the status quo and inspiring ingenuity within our community,” said Reid Wilson, Senior Director for Indian Motorcycle. “As a brand that has always strived to push motorcycling forward, partnering with Thor and The One Moto Show is a natural fit for us.”

Inspired by Indian Motorcycle’s storied history and success in flat track racing, the FTR 1200 takes design and styling cues from the championship-winning FTR750 race bike that has dominated American Flat Track since it was introduced in 2016. Along with Drake’s custom FTR 1200, RSD’s Super Hooligan race team will compete at The One Pro Race aboard the all-new FTR 1200.

“Indian Motorcycle is an iconic American brand with a rich history in racing. The introduction of the FTR750 and its newer protégé, the FTR 1200, has created shock waves across the globe.” said Thor Drake, Founder of The One Moto Show. “It’s exciting to work with such a progressive company. I’m thrilled to have the chance to get my hands on the FTR 1200 to create a special custom build in celebration of the 10^th anniversary of The One Show and the partnership with Indian Motorcycle.”

The One Moto Show Presented by Indian Motorcycle will take place February 8-10, 2019. For more information and ticketing for The One Show and The One Pro Race, visit The1Moto.com. To learn more about Indian Motorcycle visitIndianMotorcycle.com and follow Indian Motorcycle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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