dealernews.com: Kawasaki claims top position Japanese motorcycle sales
motosprint.it: Honda MSX125 Mini Street Xtreme
FWIW - Honda Monkey redux
visordown.com: 2013 Tiger Sport
-related- twoheelsblog.comÔÇÖs spin on this
FWIW - With 800cc and 1200cc Tigers to play with in the dirt the Tiger Sport is left to be the urban war model. IÔÇÖm looking forward to taking one for a test drive when it comes to the U.S. I have always liked the Tiger. The new version will have me bringing my helmet and license while leaving the rest of my wallet and Roadster title at home.
visordown.com: 10 best motorcycles for women (and shorter riders too)
BMWÔÇÖs F650GS Low makes the cruiser/small sport bike ladened list.
thekneeslider.com: Could shale gas help kick stat motorcycle manufacturing and sales in the US?
VIDEO : Onboard footage at the Streets of Willow as Sport Rider and Eurotuner magazines test the BMW S 1000 RR and BMW M3. VIDEO: Motorcycle Riding 101: Earning the M1 License! - Wide Open Throttle Episode 47
VIDEO: The 2012 Honda NC700X is the newest addition to the Japanese manufacturer's lineup. The NC700X features adventure-bike styling, an all-new engine and chassis. An automatic Dual Clutch Transmission and combined ABS are optional and retail is set at a reasonable $6999.
webbikeworld.com: Quick look at using the SMH10 for on-board, rider-to-pillion communication only.
VIDEO: Having just returned from a ten day off-road expedition across the state of Colorado, Touratech-USA's General Manager, Paul Guillien, reviews the ten essential Touratech accessories for the Yamaha Super T?®n?®r?® XT1200Z
FWIW - a review of what they sell, why he thinks you should buy it; listen - think and make your own decisions
VIDEO : Indian Spirit Scout 2025 electric concept by Wojtek Bachleda photo compilation
The MotherShip PressClub BMW Motorrad achieves new sales record in 2012. Double-digit growth in December. Husqvarna Motorcycles 15.8 % above previous year.
09.01.2013
Munich. In 2012 BMW Motorrad supplied 106,358 (prev. yr.: 104,286 units / + 2.0 %) motorcycles and maxi scooters to its customers worldwide, thereby achieving a new all-time sales high. In the month of December deliveries increased as compared to the equivalent month of the previous year by 43.4 % to 6,069 units (prev. yr.: 4,232 units)....More
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today revealed record sales results for 2012. 3,575 cars were sold globally during the year, which represents the third consecutive record and the best sales result in the marqueÔÇÖs 108-year history...More
Cage World
autobloggreen: As E15 fight continues arguments get stronger and stranger
VIDEO : The Carrera RS, a 900 kg lightweight Porsche 911,
FWIW
The end of the world, or just that you can see it from here?
Discussions surrounding new rules, difficulties with putting on races in India lead some to believe the edge of the world is just ahead. With that said some authors see sense in some of the moves being made. All of the discussions and analysis I have read seems very tactical in nature and misses a long term strategic back story I would like to know more about. I am not as clear about the answer to that question as some seem to be.
The success of MotoGP, WorldSBK, Dorna, Infront, the FIM and manufacturers/teams to put on world championship racing has always appeared to happen in spite of their collective effort rather than because of it. At this point the series are chains of racing events linked together by a points system. Whatever the result of what these groups are currently cooking up is short term. I am old enough to know that series promoters come and go but racers find ways to race. The larger question for race fans and these groups is what is BridgepointÔÇÖs racing arms.
The consensus is the investor group that makes up Bridgepoint purchased and operate Dorna and Infront in anticipation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the promotional opportunities these two companies controlled. What is not clear, at least to me Bridgepoint has in mind. That is the real theme for race fans to wonder about as they read the racing news.
Right now I see three basic outcomes: life stumbles on much as it has with racing a series of events, Bridgepoint develops an integrated racing brand by strong alliances with manufacturers and FIM, Bridgepoint sees more cost than benefit and sells and as a result all bets are off and we start all over. Down at the Official Fly-Over-Land coffee shop we have been able to use all of the news stories to date to support any of the options.
I donÔÇÖt think it is the end of the motorcycle racing world, but with all the dust everyone is kicking up I canÔÇÖt clearly see what is ahead.
Dakar 2013 Rally: The official website with daily updates on the rally and links to photo galleries and videos.
VIDEO: AC UNCUT's Genny Tulloch catches up with Artemis Racing's CEO Paul Cayard and Sailing Director Iain Percy to learn their thoughts and input on AC72 design and technology contest.
VIDEO: FastBike Magazine - We've ridden the ??ber exclusive HP4 at the press launch in Jerez, but didn't get a chance to truly test the Beemer's Dynamic Damping Control - essentially semi-active suspension. The UK's bumps and swells are an ideal test but we had to stick her on the JHS Racing dyno first. Guesses?
With the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT maxi-scooters now becoming a familiar sight on our roads, development of the fully electric-powered BMW C evolution scooter continues its journey towards serial production. We catch up with Sebastian Wilm, chief designer of the BMW C evolution, who explains how this unique modelÔÇÖs futuristic looks have been achieved..More
When Canadian brothers and BMW F 800 GS riders Colin and Ryan Pyle set out from Shanghai on a motorcycle journey that had never previously been attempted, they thought they had some idea of what lay ahead of them. It was a misconception that had become evident by the end of Day 1. But, despite the many challenges they faced, 65 days and 18,000 km later theyÔÇÖd succeeded in circumnavigating..More
Husqvarna has welcomed a new recruit to its sporting family, with world-class stunt rider Humberto Ribeiro joining the ranks of the illustrious motorcycle brand. The Portuguese athlete will ride the Nuda 900R and Strada TR650 models at a selection of top international two-wheeled events over the coming months. ..More
Munich/Oxford. The British premium small car manufacturer MINI can look back on an eventful year marked by new sales records, successful model launches and expansion into new markets worldwide. 2012 once again served up a wealth of highlights for brand aficionados, as well as being the most successful year to date for MINI. Not only has the vehicle line-up been extended to seven models, meaning more choice than ever, but MINI is now represented in over 100 markets around the globe for the very first time. Worldwide sales of the MINI brand totalled 301,526 units last year, more than in any previous 12-month period. The MINI review of 2012 summarises the yearÔÇÖs most important, most extraordinary and most astonishing events..More
FWIW
ted.com: Andy Puddicombe - All it takes is ten mindful minutes
bsmotoring.com: WSBK India round on track
FWIW: We really donÔÇÖt know for certain until wheels turn on pavement, yet this Indian source has been reliable in the past.
VIDEO: Contributing Editor Csaba Csere reveals everything you need to know about the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette on the latest episode of Car and Driver: Tested.
VIDEO: Contributing Editor Csaba Csere sits down with the engineers, designers, and managers of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette to discuss how the C7 Corvette came to be. Part 1
VIDEO: Contributing Editor Csaba Csere sits down with the engineers, designers, and managers of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette to discuss how the C7 Corvette came to be. Part 2
FWIW
The land of opportunity remains the primary sales region for the British premium brand ÔÇô ten years after MINI was launched, yet another record has been broken with sales of 66,123 vehicles.technologyreview.com: Startup lets retail stores track shoppers as websites do.
BMWgroup.com: Joan Barreda picked up a precious second place in todayÔÇÖs ninth stage, the longest in the Dakar ÔÇÖ13 covering some 853 km (533 miles) from San Miguel de Tucuman to Cordoba. Barreda set off first this morning and opened the path for the other riders dominating throughout a special test divided into two parts.
motomatters.com: World Superbike calendar updated
India round moved
[urkl=http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedweek.de%2Fart_31 773.html&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=ISO-8859-1]speedweek.de[/url]: Disarmament - Superbikes for a maximum of 250,000 eruos?
racer.com: Pirelli wants ÔÇ£rightÔÇØ F1 deal
-for- racer.com: Pirelli - 2013 tyres and improvement
Pirelli is finally sorting out the current F1 Formula. The prospect of a new Formula in 2014 and the cost of development changes related to that has them wanting to talk ÔÇ£rightÔÇØ deal. Costs and challenges related to this is no doubt the primary driver of this yet the topic comes up with EcclestoneÔÇÖs longevity it question.
Woodcliff Lake, N.J. ÔÇô January 14, 2013 . . . BMW of North America and BMW Motorsport today announced that BMW Team RLL will again campaign BMWÔÇÖs American Le Mans Series entries in 2013. The two-car team will battle among the best of North American GT-class sports car racing with the newly designed BMW Z4 GTE, starting with the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring on March 16...More
Woodcliff Lake, NJ  January 14, 2013 11:30 am Eastern  With last years launch of the sixth-generation BMW 3 Series Sedan, the benchmark by which all sport sedans are measured was raised. Today, BMW opened the latest chapter in the 3 Series story as it announced the new 2013 BMW 320i Sedan for the US market. Constructed with the near-perfect 50:50 balance afforded by BMW rear-wheel drive and priced from $33,445 (including $895 Destination & Handling), the new BMW 320i packs a content-rich punch in the marketplace for premium compact sport sedans. Sporting a 180-horsepower TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine, the new BMW 320i Sedan goes on sale in late-Spring 2013. Along with the new 320i Sedan, the BMW 320i xDrive Sedan featuring BMWs intelligent all-wheel drive system will also be available from $35,445 (including $895 Destination & Handling). The broad palette of standard equipment includes Bluetooth smartphone integration and BMWs Auto Start-Stop function...More
The BMW Group intends to grow in the U.S. in the current year. Robertson: Further growth expected in 2013 in worldwide sales..More
012 was another remarkable year for the BMW Group in the United States. With more than 347,000 BMW and MINI vehicles sold in this country alone, 2012 was our best sales year ever. This all-time record also makes BMW the leader of the premium segment in the U.S. for the second year in a row...More
worldsbk.com: 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship provisional calender
[This is V.3 but whoÔÇÖs counting. I will update the Reference Library when there is a final.]
roadracingworld.com: New Ducati Corse General Manager [former BMW leader] Bernhard Gobmeirer : ÔÇ£The challenge that lies ahead is a big oneÔÇØ
jamesallenonf1: A closer look at FerrariÔÇÖs strategy for 2013
formula1.com: Domecelli - Keeping Massa the right decision
FWIW - of course it was, I made it
formula1.com: Ferrari sisgn De la Rosa, confirm launch date
FWIW: De la RosaÔÇÖs signing is an important part of the dual track development Ferrari has planned for 2013. Ferrari needs to win the title this year while staying on track with development of their 2014 car and engine combination. De la Rosa should be a good fit for this.
Although BMW Motorrad will be celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2013, the BMW Roundel was actually registered more than 95 years ago and has since gone on to become one of the worldÔÇÖs most recognised and revered commercial symbols. Many people believe that the design is connected with aircraft engines because of the apparent ÔÇÿspinning propellersÔÇÖ but this is just a myth, as the interesting ..More
With more than 106,000 motorcycles and maxi-scooters sold to customers worldwide in 2012, BMW Motorrad celebrated yet another all-time sales high, making it the perfect way to start its 90th anniversary celebrations. This sales record was set in difficult economic conditions too, but the company has had more than its fair share of challenges to overcome ever since its origins more than nine..More
The first all-wheel-drive MINI rises to the challenge of the worldÔÇÖs most gruelling rally ÔÇô close-to-production support vehicles assist the Monster Energy X-raid Team, headed by last yearÔÇÖs winner St?®phane Peterhansel, in the MINI ALL4 Racing as they clock up 8,600 kilometres en route to a second consecutive title...More
From 18 to 20 January, visitors to the charity ÔÇÖDream CarsÔÇÿ exhibition in Brussels have the chance to see unique Rolls-Royce cars, including one of the series of Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coup?®s which was on stage during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Games. ÔÇÿDream CarsÔÇÖ forms part of the 91st Brussels Motor Show and everything raised during this exhibition contributes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity for children in need. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Brussels, part of Ginion Group, will also be displaying two other dream cars: Ghost Extended Wheelbase and Phantom Coup?®. The presentation of Phantom Series II Coup?® marks the public debut of Phantom Series II in Belgium...More
ÔÇ£Rolls-Royce Bespoke has taken its place as the jewel in the crown of British manufacturing. A collection showcasing the talents of the departmentÔÇÖs designers and craftspeople is the perfect way to celebrate 10 years at the Home of Rolls-RoyceÔÇØ Torsten M??ller-?ûtv?Âs, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars...More
On 1 January 2013, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated 10 years of production at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. To mark this latest chapter in the marqueÔÇÖs 108-year history, a special collection of cars, conceived and designed by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke team will be released in 2013..More
MINI is once again represented in the FIA WRC in 2013. Michal Kościuszko is making his debut in the MINI John Cooper Works WRC for the Lotos WRC Team at the legendary Rally Monte Carlo...More
Cage World
VIDEO: The AutoChannel : MINI presentation at the Detroit International Auto Show
FWIW
Thoughts on BMW Motorrad 2012 Sales Part 1
The recent BMW press release on 2012 sales and the 2013 90 Year Anniversary have the gang down at the Official Fly-Over-Land coffee shop thinking about and playing with all the numbers in the press release. BMW doesnÔÇÖt often give as many numbers to think about and play with.
Total sales: The more things change the more things stay the same.
The BMW press release reports the total sales for 2012 at 106,358 units. This is a new record for BMW Motorrad and is the second year in a row for record total sales. The 90th Anniversary and the air cooled R1200GS coming in as the best selling motorrad have people thinking of days gone bye. In the past decade BMW has added the S1000RR and lists maxi-scooter sales in the 2012 total. When you pull the listed totals for those two out of the sales mix you are left with 92,088 units and a number that moves you back to the 2002 annual reports 92,599 unit range. This was a time before F twin bikes existed. Pull out the F800GS sales from the total now you down to 80,601 units. This puts the number just behind the 81,263 deliveries reported in the 2001 annual report. 2001 was the year BMW made the big push in sales from 1999 sales of 69,168 units.
By this math air cooled boxer and K bike fans get to relive the effort to grow those models with oildheads/camheads and new four and six cylinder K bikes all over again; or not. Increases sales or just treading water will in large part be decided by the success of the 2013 water cooled boxer and the production variants it eventually spawns.
What is up with the French?
Economic disasters have taken those pesky Italians out of the US's rightful role [according to many forum posters anyway] as the second most important market by country for BMW. At the same time many like to brag about the sales volume of the US market they also love to complain about the change from independent importer to corporate control by BMW NA. On the other hand the French dithered as a small BMW market for years in private importer hands. A couple of years ago [IIRC it was 2010] BMW took over control of the French market from their independent importer. Since then the French market has gone from an occasional footnote in the annual report to number three with a bullet. Obviously the French don't understand how things work.
The S1000RR
Total superbike sales were in the range of 125,000 units worldwide and growing in late 2007 when BMW announced it would be entering the superbike market. BMW never gave a sales goal but said it wanted its fair share of the market. By the time the S1000RR hit showroom floors the world wide market had shrunk to an estimated 65,000 units per year and getting smaller. I have not seen market numbers for 2012 but the world wide superbike market has taken an upward turn. With sales of 8,970 units my guess is BMW has a decent share of the current market. The continued strong reception by the press of the S1000RR.v2, a strong WSBK finish in 2012, numerous national championships, and press reports oggel the S1000RR HP should yield even more superbike sales in the coming year.
Sport riders will buy more than small ÔÇ£sÔÇØ variants the rest of the lineup. BMW has experienced good success with the S1000RR. When will they expand their line of serious sport bikes for the rest of us?
Scooters
A decade ago BMW was ending production of the C1; its last foray into the scooter market. A footnote to the sales figures in the 2003 explains revised motorrad numbers for 1999-2002 reported by explaining the reported figures were ÔÇ£excluding C1 production at Bertone up to 2002: 33,489 units. The new scooter accounted for +/- 5300 units for 2012. This suggests a sales rate that will have it on track to match the C1 production for a similar period of time and may have the combined sales of the new C series scooters challenging the GS for top honors.
Part 2
When I get to write it ÔÇô The Boys in Brazil as a production model, Spaniards/Italians, economics, Husqvarna and more babbling.
From 18 to 20 January, visitors to the charity ÔÇÖDream CarsÔÇÿ exhibition in Brussels have the chance to see unique Rolls-Royce cars, including one of the series of Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coup?®s which was on stage during the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Games. ÔÇÿDream CarsÔÇÖ forms part of the 91st Brussels Motor Show and everything raised during this exhibition contributes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity for children in need. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Brussels, part of Ginion Group, will also be displaying two other dream cars: Ghost Extended Wheelbase and Phantom Coup?®. The presentation of Phantom Series II Coup?® marks the public debut of Phantom Series II in Belgium...More
In the decade since Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' re-emergence as the most revered name in motoring, the word Phantom has become synonymous with peerless luxury. Its launch in 2003 emphatically heralded the marqueÔÇÖs return to the very pinnacle of excellence, presenting a hand-made luxury good without equal to connoisseurs across the world...More
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the launch of its next model, Rolls-Royce Wraith..More
Canadian Olympic Team proudly welcomes new performance partner at Toronto Event...More
Woodcliff Lake, NJ  January 18, 2013 BMW of North America, the Official Mobility Partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), today announced that the U.S. Mens Bobsled Team will race the BMW two-man bobsled for the first time at the FIBT World Cup in Igls, Austria this Saturday, Jan. 19. Developed in collaboration with the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation (USBSF), BMW applied its world-class design and engineering expertise to redesign the two-man sled in the hopes of helping Team USA chase its first Olympic gold medal in the event since 1936...More
Cage World
autobloggreen: Federal court denies trade groups request to ban E15
The Husqvarna Rallye Team by Speedbrain finishes an excellent Dakar 2013
The Dakar 2013 has officially ended today with a spectacular victory and closing ceremony. Taking part were all teams who successfully finished the 35th edition of the Mother of all Rallyes. This year??s Dakar started on 5 January in the Peruvian capital of Lima and ended 8,000 km later after 14 stages in Santiago de Chile. ..More
VIDEO: Faster than a Bugatti Veyron - Koenigsegg Agera
Car and Driver - We get behind the wheel of the Koenigsegg Agera R in ?ängelholm, Sweden on the latest episode of Car and Driver: Abroad. It's fastÔÇöblisteringly fast.
bbc.co.uk: Mercedes wants to replace Brawn
-or- jamesallenonf1.com: Mercedes boss Toto Wold Denies plan to replace Ross Brawn
FWIW: If you follow this thread you know I am not a fan of Ross Brawn and his designs over the past years. Brawn may not go but his role will change. How much control over design he has to relinquish will determine things for the 2013 season. I doubt he will have control of the 2014 car or team.
ferrair.com: MassaÔÇÖs first day back at school in 2013
Glock is out at Marussia... speedweek.de: Thanks to Ecclestone Vitali Petrov at Marussia?
formula1.com: Wolff, Lauda , Brawn to form new Mercedes managment
-related- jamesallenonf1.com: Blow for Williams as Toto Woldff is confrimed as Mercedes Motorsport boss
telegraph.co.uk: Mercedes ready to lure top engineer Paddy Lowe away from McLaren ahead of new season
ACEM [EuropeÔÇÖs MC industry group] published the statistical overview for the full year 2012.
The document contains the yearly summary for registrations and deliveries, circulating park, production, and top 10 models. Stistical Overview - full pdf
Timo Glock (DE) will take to the track at the wheel of the BMW M3 DTM this week. The German driver is in Valencia (ES) for BMW MotorsportÔÇÖs first DTM tests of the year, during which he will familiarise himself with the car and be put through his paces at the ÔÇ£Circuit de la ComunitatÔÇØ...More
Woodcliff Lake, N.J. ÔÇô January 22, 2013 . . . The 2013 GRAND-AM Road Racing season will begin with the 51st annual Rolex 24 at Daytona on Saturday, January 26th, and will be preceded by the second-annual BMW Performance 200 on Friday, January 25th as the sports car racing world once again descends on Daytona International Speedway...More
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today publishes the first official image of its new model Wraith, which will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013...More
BMW Motorsport News Issue 2/13
Martin looking forward to BMW works driver challenge ÔÇô Turner Motorsport with strong driver line-up in Daytona...More
Cage World
VIDEO : Aptera Electric Car - Jay LenoÔÇÖs garage
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