News

The media launch for the 2012 Honda Broadford Bike Bonanza (HBBB) was held amidst the impressive collection of Antique Motorcycles in Cheltenham, Victoria. With all manner of Harleys, Indians, Hondas, Yamahas, Bimotas and other makes on display and for sale, there was plenty of eye candy, but with Honda being the naming rights sponsor for the HBBB, a rare and very special model from the big red wing took centre stage in the form of a genuine RC 250M factory motocross bike.

After being a stalwart of the JDR Motorex KTM team, Tye Simmonds has parted ways with the WA-based KTM squad to form a satellite Honda team for the 2012 MX Nationals season. The announcement was made on March 1 after JDR confirmed they and Simmonds had parted ways earlier in the week.

At the conclusion of the second Official MotoGP Test of 2012 in Malaysia, Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner proved that fatherhood hasn't slowed him down, topping the timesheets with a 2:00.473 result. The reigning World Champion was closely followed by team-mate Dani Pedrosa and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Andrea Dovizioso.

In his first serious hit-out in the World Supersport class, Jed Metcher scored an impressive eleventh place finish at Phillip Island's opening round of the 2012 series.

Fans of iconic motorcycles will have two to choose from at the upcoming Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic Auction, in the form of a Vincent HRD Rapide and Harley-Davidson Model U.

The 2012 World Superbike season kicked off over the weekend of February 24 - 26 at the stunning Phillip Island circuit. With temperatures rising into the mid 30s, it was just as hot off the track as on.

Two-time World Supersport champion, Turkey's Kenan Sofuoglu, kicked off his return to the Supersport class in the best possible way by winning the 2012 season opener at Phillip Island.

On Saturday, February 25, young Queenslander Oscar McIntyre died following an accident in the opening laps of the Australian Supersport/Superstock 600 support race at the Phillip Island World Superbike round.

After two days of World Supersport testing at Phillip Island, Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products Honda) ended up at the top of the results sheet, with a time of 1 minute 34.585 seconds.

Casey Stoner recently used his Repsol blog to thank fans for their congratulations and support following the birth of he and Adriana's daughter, Alessandra, on February 16.

At the end of two days of World Superbike pre-season testing at Phillip Island, Kawasaki's Tom Sykes topped the field, recording a time fractionally ahead of 2011 World Superbike champion, Carlos Checa.

The latest Kawasaki Australian Motocross range consists of 7 models, 3 substantially redesigned - 2012 KX450F, KX250F and KX65 - selling alongside the 2011 model KX450F, KX250F, KX85 and KX85-II.

Long-running and respected UK motor sports magazine, Motor Sport, has inducted John Surtees and Giacomo Agostini into their Hall of Fame at a special ceremony in London.

Casey Stoner is motoGP World Champion, and he's now also a father, following the birth of his daughter on the evening of February 16.

The FIM have recently confirmed the participation of the 'Grande Premio de Portugal' for this year's MotoGP championship, with the Estoril circuit to host the Portuguese round (round 3) on May 4 - 6.

January's auction season in the US has seen most of the major American auction houses host sales. Bonhams were no exception, but what made their 2012 Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction different was that it featured the huge motorcycle collection of the du Pont family. The collection comprised 50 motorcycles and 100 separate lots of rare Indian spare parts. Why Indian? Family patriarch, L. Paul du Pont was a former president of the Indian Motorcycle Company.

Following January's announcement of locations for eight of the ten dates of this year's MX Nationals championship, the remaining two (Rounds 6 & 7) have been confirmed, with Barrabool (VIC) and Hervey Bay (QLD) joining the series.

Global Action Sports (GAS), promoter of the Australian 'SuperX' Supercross series, announced late yesterday that the series will not go ahead for 2012, or the foreseeable future beyond that, under their management.

Stephen Dearnley, one of the founders of the Ulysses Club, passed away on February 11. Known as "Old Number 1", Dearnley was officially the first member of the club that now boasts over 26,000 active members around the world. Dearnley was 89 years old.

Multiple World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will be one of the special guests at the Australian Motorcycle Expo, Gold Coast, this February 17 - 19. Every visitor to the expo will have a chance to win a pillion ride with Bayliss on a Ducati superbike.

This May, Australia will host a round of the FIM World Trials Championship for the first time. Tickets for the event, set to take place at Mt. Tarrengower, will be on sale shortly via www.wtcaustralia.com.au

After making its debut in the US in 2011, Kawasaki's Vulcan 1700 'Vaquero' ABS cruiser is now available in Australia.

"Solo One to VKC. Solo One to VKC. Are you there, Shirl?"\nIf this phrase means nothing to you, the classic 1970s TV show 'Matlock Police' and its spin-off 'Solo One' probably mean nothing to you as well!

Amongst all the latest bikes to feature at the upcoming Gold Coast Motorcycle Expo will be a bike that's beyond 'latest' - something that looks like it's from the future.