"We intend to take the four Japanese head-on. We did not intend to build a motorcycle like Ducati does or KTM does. We wanted to build a mainstream motorcycle." There were a number who doubted Pieter de Waal, Vice President of BMW Motorrad USA, when he uttered that sentiment back in April regarding the company's new S 1000 RR, but it seems the Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer has come through on its promise of attractive pricing for its latest superbike.

With a base price of $13,800, the new S 1000 RR is within spitting distance of the Yamaha R1, Suzuki GSX-R1000, Kawasaki ZX-10R and Honda CBR1000RR, which is the most expensive of the Japanese literbikes at $12,999 (plus $1,000 for ABS). As a refresher, the new Beemer – which puts out 193 horsepower at 13,000 RPM, 82.5 lb-ft of torque at 9,750 RPM and weighs 455.3 pounds with a full tank of gas – boasts the best power-to-weight ratio of any bike in its class.

Naturally, there are desirable options that can quickly move the bike away from the bargain category, including a package that adds ABS brakes and traction control for $1,480. Click past the break for the complete rundown.

Source: AutoBlog

It warms my heart to see people like this getting hit with fines. Watch it to the end to see extra hilarity - I promise, it's worth it.

Darwin cannot WAIT to get his hands on this guy. Spotted on the highways of New Delhi, India, some motorcyclist decided his text message was urgent enough that he just had to respond. And respond he did, while lounging back and driving between cars in traffic on the highway. Unbelievable!

A car has plowed into a bike race along a highway near the US-Mexico border, killing one and injuring 10 others.

Police investigator Jose Alfredo Rodriguez says the 28-year-old driver was apparently drunk and fell asleep when he crashed into the race. A photograph taken by a city official shows bicyclists and equipment being hurled high in to the air by the collision.

Hope this guy gets a kick to the grill! Very sad.

Source: Yahoo

Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piech revealed last month his desire to expand the carmaker’s operations into the motorbike industry, telling German media that he regretted not acquiring the Ducati label during the 1980s when it was near bankruptcy. Piech’s dream could soon come true as latest reports claim VW is about to produce its first-ever motorbike.

Volkswagen is rumored to be in negotiations with Austrian motorbike manufacturer KTM over a deal to produce VW branded motorbikes and three-wheelers. According to AutoExpress, VW is planning to revive its stillborn GX-3 project (pictured) as well as develop a range of motorbikes to compete with BMW’s Motorrad subsidiary. The carbon-fiber specialists at KTM could even help VW engineer a production version of its 1-liter concept.

The GX-3 was an official concept vehicle that was displayed back at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. Designed together with KTM, the concept featured a 2.0L turbocharged engine sourced from the Audi TT and would eventually go on to inspire the Austrian motorbike manufacture to build its own X-Bow roadster. VW dropped plans to further develop the GX-3 due to the legal hurdles of producing and selling such vehicle.

Source: Motor Authority

Bad news for Florida riders, as of October 1st, anyone caught doing 30 over in that state faces confiscation of their vehicle, five to ten years in prison and a ten-year license suspension. We say ‘anyone’ because bill HB 137, which was originally targeted at motorcyclists, was amended to apply to all vehicles.

State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera introduced the bill to the Florida State Legislature last November after witnessing motorcycle riders wheelying and cutting through traffic on a ride-along with Miami police. The bill has understandably created an uproar in the motorcycle community, but has experienced little opposition from the motorcycle industry and lobby groups.

A lobbyist representing ABATE did express concerns that the bill unfairly targeted motorcyclists, arguing that penalties for motorists who violate motorcycle rider’s right of way, injuring or killing them, are substantially lower.

While the bill was altered to include all vehicles, the anti-motorcycle language remains, specifically that which discusses the revocation of the motorcycle endorsement.

Source: Hell for Leather Magazine

Choreographed stunts like this are AWESOME. So damn cool, seriously.

Commemorating 30 years of delivering products and technology to the embedded computing market, Intel Corporation today introduced the Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® processor 5300 series with extended life cycle support, the first to bring Intel architecture-based quad-core performance to the embedded segment. Additionally, Intel marked the launch here today with the unveiling of an Intel-themed embedded technology-based motorcycle by Orange County Choppers.

"The breakthrough performance and power efficiency that characterize the industry's first quad-core processors for embedded are as unmistakable as the raw power of the four cylinders of the Intel Chopper's quad engine," said Doug Davis, vice president and general manager of Intel's Embedded and Communications Group. "This 250-horsepower chopper – designed using quad-core Intel computers – is more than just a mechanical powerhouse; it's also a marvel of embedded technology with an ultra-mobile PC powering fingerprint recognition for security and a digital dashboard with ignition control, digital gauges, cameras that replace rear-view mirrors, integrated audio and video systems, GPS navigation and wireless connectivity."

The custom-built motorcycle, launched simultaneously in the Internet-based virtual world of Second Life, celebrates 30 years of Intel's innovation and technology leadership in advancing embedded computing. In 1976, before the advent of the personal computer, Intel entered the embedded market and provided extended life cycle support for technologies, silicon and platforms that drive this industry. Intel embedded technology can be found today in automobiles, airplanes, ATMs, information kiosks, telecommunications infrastructure and network storage systems, as well as factory and medical equipment.

Intel: OCC Chopper

Somewhere over the rainbow, the owner thought that this bike looks awesome and should be admired at bike shows across the globe. We will say a few nice things were done, but nothing can get past that blindingly awful candy paint job that was chosen.

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