BMW is on the gas, developing innovative new models, growing exponentially and generally leaving the rest of the recession-racked motor-cycle industry in the dust. The F800GS jump-started the mid-sized enduro market in 2008, the best-selling S1000RR now dominates the superbike segment (nearly 25 percent of global sportbike sales in 2010 went to BMW), and the new K1600GT appears ready to revolutionize luxury touring. Taking business risks has really paid off: BMW Motorrad production is now back to pre-recession numbers, with 2010 global sales up 12.3 percent (to 98,047 motorcycles), out-performing the car division in profitability.Â
Ducati has come out swinging with the fastest, prettiest and most high tech bike ever to hit the Adventure bike class – the Multistrada 1200S. Featuring traction control, ABS, electronically adjustable suspension and a rampant 150 horsepower, it’s also the most unashamedly road focused Adventure bike going around as well.
Loz Blain and Noel McKeegan throw a leg over it in Gizmag’s latest road test review.
Johnny Campbell Racing gave American Honda the top two overall motorcycle finishing positions and their 15th straight Baja 500 title as Kendall Norman and Quinn Cody take the win and Honda’s 16th overall motorcycle victory in the very demanding 452.84 mile SCORE Baja 500 with a winning time of 8:47:07 at 51.76 mph on a Honda CRF450X. Their times were the fastest of all vehicles on the course. This race marks the second straight overall SCORE Baja 500 race win for Norman and Cody. Norman now has five career race wins in this event in the last six years. It was the second triumph for Cody. Udall was teamed with Kamo for the first time as Johnny Campbell Racing dedicated the race to the memory of Udall’s former teammate Jeff “OX” Kargola, who passed away recently following a motorcycle riding accident in Baja. During Saturday’s race, the two JCR/Honda vehicles actually crossed the finish line together in what was one of the closest races in the history of the Baja 500. Early reports had the win going to the 0x bike ridden by Colton Udall and JCR/Honda newcomer David Kamo however after final data review the win was awarded to Norman/Cody. Both teams were racing identical Eric Siraton prepped Honda CRF450X’s