The good name of American motorcycling will no longer be sullied by the Teutels' homoerotic father/son catfighting and novelty t-shirt promotion, TLC has cancelled American Chopper. Orange County Choppers and its shaved apes have been plaguing television screens since 2003, but lately the financial success the show inexplicably brought its protagonists has led to a bitter feud with Paul Teutul Sr suing Paul Teutul Jr for control of the company. It's believed that this lawsuit led to the show's cancellation. Hallelujah.

via TVByTheNumbers 

To create the Kawazuki, the skull fetishists at Icon took a 1979 Kawasaki KZ1000, modified the frame to accept a monoshock, then bolted on the front end off a Suzuki SV1000, the swingarm and rear wheel from a '92 GSX-R750 and the shock from that SV. At the same time, mounts for rearsets were welded on to the frame and the engine was given a 1075cc Wiseco big bore kit. The end result isn't loyal to any sort of historically accurate tuning, it's just a kick ass custom bike that updates the classic lines of the KZ with visually functional modern parts. We particularly like the contrast between the white powdercoated frame and wheels and the '70s bodywork. It kinda looks like someone's owned the bike since new and modified it piece by piece to keep it competitive.

Icon

In addition to combining the capabilities of a superbike, a bicycle, a chair and a tank into one motorcycle, the $14,995 Ducati Multistrada 1200 is also going to be relatively cheap to service. Thanks to  a new valve seat material and improved combustion efficiency the Testastretta 11° engine can now go 15,000 between valve clearance inspections. In comparison, both the Ducati 1198 and the previous air-cooled Multistrada required valve inspection every 7,500 miles.

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We've always looked at helmets equipped with internal sun visors like the Schuberth C3 with envy, but never felt the trade-off in weight made them worthwhile. The fiberglass/carbon shell of the full-face AGV Stealth SV means weight shouldn't be an issue while the full-face design will also help keep wind noise down. The internal arrangement is also way more elegant and less obtrusive than the Arai Sunshield Visor. In addition to the internal sunvisor, the Stealth SV is ready to accept the new AGV Voice bluetooth kit without any modifications.

AGV

Equipped with a tweaked version of the Ducati 1198's engine, the Vyrus 987 C3 4V makes a claimed 185bhp and is said to weight just 155kg (dry) to the donor bike's 171kg. If you think that sounds fast, Vyrus plans a 211bhp supercharged version. More importantly, it uses a swingarm to mount the front wheel and a steering linkage that separates the steering, braking and suspension functions from each other.  The C3 also comes equipped with a traction control system, although its unclear whether or not this is the same 8-mode DTC that's employed on the Ducati. Specs below and more info when it's available.

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Last year, we told you that the BMW S1000RR made 183hp at the rear wheel. This chart, which shows the Japanese competitors' number on the same dyno, illustrates just how big a performance leap that is. And the torque? The BMW makes 79.6lb/ft while the nearest competitor, the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000, manages 78.8.

Update: More accurate graphic above and the weirdness in the original graphs explained by Kevin Ash in the comments below. Thanks Kevin!

Fastbikes.se via MC24.no

The back pain, the leg cramps, the sore wrists...it's all worth it.

via Oliepeil

The Isle of Man TT is splitting with TTXGP and launching its own zero emissions race. "This is an indication of how seriously we take [zero emissions racing]," says TT representative Simon Crellin, "we're bringing it under the same umbrella as all other TT racing." TT Zero will operating under the FIM's new electric racing rules. Where does this leave the TTXGP?

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Apparently fearing unflattering comparisons, Honda UK has effectively banned owners of the VFR800 and other previous VFRs from riding the 2010 Honda VFR1200. MCN, England's largest bike publication, had scheduled a loan of Shamu post media launch in order to get real riders' opinions of the new bike. So far so good, that's standard operating procedure for the paper with Hondas and most other mainstream bikes. But, when Honda got wind of MCN's plans to put VFR owners on the bike and then publish their opinions it balked, ordering the paper not to allow anyone but editorial staff on the heavyweight V4. MCN's response? Take it back then, we don't want it. Respect.

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Icon's satisfying a lot of rider's wishes by creating the Icon Variant, a helmet that combines off-road looks, ventilation and peripheral vision with street refinement. We've been impressed with the progress Icon has shown in quality; this helmet moves them one step closer to competing with established helmet makers with the use of a carbon/dynema/fiberglass composite shell and a moisture wicking liner. Full details covered in the video below. And don't worry, it comes in classy plain colors in addition to the godawful skulls and other macho ephemera. 

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In response to black and white images initially leaked by Motociclismo.it Yamaha has released this single full-color image of the 2010 Yamaha FZ8, but no firm details. The 2010 Yamaha FZ8 Fazer, which adds a dinky fairing, is also being teased. Is this an all-new model? No, instead, Motociclismo suggests that the FZ1's 1,000cc engine has simply been sleaved down to reduce power and torque, but more importantly insurance costs and the tendency of relatively novice riders to get happy with their throttle hands.

Power is apparently down from 150 on the FZ1 to something in the region of 120 on the FZ8, while visual differences come from gold instead of blue anodizing on the brake calipers. To facilitate a reduced price, suspension isn't adjustable and neither are the levers. The FZ8 is also missing plastic radiator shrouds and has a slightly different exhaust, although it will come with optional ABS. 

To celebrate his ninth world championship, Ferrari let Valentino Rossi have a go in the F2008 Formula One car at Mugello. The result? A 1:21.9 time, just tenths of a second off Kimi Raikkonen's outright lap record of 1:21.67, set in the same car.

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Dear Moto2,

We know we called you "The Honda Cup" and suggested you were a class for pigs after it was announced all your competitors would have to run CBR600RR engines. But when we said that we had no idea you were capable of inspiring motorcycles with as much pure sex appeal as the Bimota HB4. Now we hear that its steel trellis frame that's bonded to the cast aluminum swingarm pivots using aircraft technology could find its way to a road-going model if enough of us tune in to watch you and if Honda can be convinced to supply Bimota with engines. Considering that you could be single handedly responsible for the return of semi-affordable, Japanese-engined exotics, not to mention the return of one of motorcycling's most storied brands to racing, we're filled with an incredible sense of remorse. Could you ever find a way to forgive us? We assure you our apology is heartfelt and sincere.

Yours Truly,

Hell For Leather