The e-Let electric scooter prototype is taking to the streets of Suzuki’s home city, Hamamatsu, Japan, to produce data for development of a production model. The e-Let is Suzuki’s contribution to the Hamamatsu Social Experiment Project on Next-Generation Eco-Cars, which also involves other companies as well as educational institutions and the local government.

“As Brammo pursues its international growth strategy it is critical to our success that we continue to build our strong reputation for quality, reliability and serviceability,” says Craig Bramscher, chief executive officer and founder of Brammo, Inc. “Flextronics is focused on providing a high quality end-to-end solutions approach to leading global companies, including automotive, and this is why we have selected them as our strategic manufacturing partner. We can now scale globally with the demand and the rapid evolution of this growth industry.”

The BMW subsidiary announced the MINI E Scooter Concept on its Facebook page along with some design sketches.

The new motorcycle, to be called the EBR 1190RS, will be the first Buell streetbike to be produced since Harley-Davidson shut down the Buell brand in October. Based on the name, it should be similar to the 1190RR race bike which uses an 1190cc V-Twin engine claiming 185 hp and 93 ft-lb. of torque.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer has over 40 years of experience in the industry, first as an off-road racer, and later as an executive.

The TTXGP North America series winning Lightning bike recorded a speed of 170.732 mph against a headwind, and a speed of 176.044 mph on a windless return run. The two-way average speed of 173.388 mph gives Lightning Motors the official AMA and FIM land speed record for special construction partial streamlining electric motorcycles.

Matt Dieckmann, 29, of Santa Rosa, Calif., was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident on the morning of Aug. 30 in the Sonoma County city. It remains to be confirmed, but Dieckmann may be the first North American traffic fatality involving an electric motorcycle rider. Officials are still investigating the crash.

The Portland, Ore., company and Indiana-based Remy Electric Motors are working together to bring an electric automotive drive system to market. Remy Electric Motors is a subsidiary of Remy International, a former division of General Motors. It supplies motors for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Harden will leave his post as Husqvarna national sales and marketing manager on Sept. 30. The AMA Hall of Fame off-road racer joined Husqvarna in 2008, helping the BMW-owned brand re-establish itself in the North American market.

The Freedom 100 engine is being discontinued to be replaced by the Freedom 106 which will be available in two versions.

The new 2011 Husaberg TE250 and TE300 will be the first two-stroke models produced in the 22-year history of the company which once used the slogan “4 Stroke Force”.

The Husqvarna Legends Exhibition Race will features several top racers from Husqvarna’s past, including Smith, Burleson, Harden, Mark Blackwell, Terry Cunningham, Mike Melton, Mike Guerra, Bob Popiel and Gunner Lindstrom. These legendary racers, will ride vintage Husqvarna bikes from Alex Moroz’s Legends and Heroes Tour. Smith is this year’s grand marshal and Husqvarna is the Marque of the Year.

EBR in combination with Rat Pak Records will be giving away a ton of cool stuff including, an EBR Custom Racing Jacket, an EBR Custom Riding Helmet, 2010 Sponsored Pit Crew Shirts, a Buell 1190RR Air Box, an Apple iPod Touch, Cannon Power Shot SX20SI digital Camera, CD's, Shirts, and much more!

2011 Husqvarna TC250

The 2011 Husqvarna WR150 is based on the WR125 enduro model which was updated for 2010. The WR150 will use a 144cc engine that Husqvarna says will offer more torque and response than the WR125. The WR150 Husqvarna redesigned the WR125’s chromoly trellis frame with stronger engine mounts and added reinforcement to support the larger engine. The riding geometry also gets a tweak.

The new TC450 will use a new Husqvarna chassis and the 450cc four-stroke engine used in the BMW G450X. The prototype will be the first collaborative product from the two companies since BMW purchased Husqvarna in 2007.

The fourth-annual Pied Piper PSI study examines how effectively a brand’s dealerships help potential buyers. The Monterey, Calif., based Pied Piper Management Co. sent 2,014 anonymous “mystery shoppers” into dealerships across the country between July 2009 and April 2010. The 2010 report examined 14 brands. Brands were rated based on a number of factors to produce an overall score.

Rider Harald Kitsch swept both races, April 17-18 at Germany’s Eurospeedway circuit for the first round of the European Sound of Thunder Championship Twins class. Kitsch won one race by three and a half seconds.

May will make his Erik Buell Racing debut competing in the May 14-16 AMA American Superbike round at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. May will be joined by team manager Dennis Zickrick and crew chief Michael Tjon.

The 1190RR, the first motorcycle produced by Erik Buell’s new venture, is based on the Buell 1125R and Buell 1125RR. The new race bike has been tested by riders such as Alex Barros, Jeremy McWilliams, Chris Ulrich, Taylor Knapp and Cory West.

“Think of it as the Husqvarna Bailout Program,” says Scot Harden, Husqvarna marketing & racing chief and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer. “Even though the economy is going through some tough times, now isn't the time to back down. Our support for all levels of racing has never been stronger.”

Defending Mediumweight Endurance champion Team Zyvax is among the first to sign up for the program, worth up to $40,000 for the eight-race series. Team Zyvax will race Graves Motorsports-prepped Yamaha R6s and have access to Graves parts and technical support staff.

Scheduled for March 8, following the Daytona round of the 2010 AMA Supercross Championship, the program, known as the Ricky Carmichael University, will give 100 riders the chance to learn from the 15-time AMA National Champion and his team of instructors.

Based on the FZ1, the 2010 Yamaha FZ8 is expected to launch in the summer as a replacement for the FZ6.

The MotoGP class has 17 entrants listed, representing 10 teams. The provisional entry list includes two new teams and several premiere class rookies including 2009 World Superbike Champion Ben Spies and the top four finishers in the 2009 250cc World Championship.

Up to $1.8 million in awards are available for top results by Kawasaki riders in various motocross races such as AMA Supercross, AMA Motocross, AMA Arenacross, and regional events across the U.S. Another $644,000 can be earned in off-road races such as GNCC, Endurocross, WORCS, AMA National Hare and Hound and other regional events.

To qualify, racers must compete on 2008 and newer RM85, RM-Z250 or RM-Z450 motorcycles purchased new from dealerships. Competing machines must retain Suzuki logos and have a yellow front fender. Suzuki riders can also take advantage of free trackside assistance at selected events.

The move is part of Harley-Davidson s efforts to restructure operations. The York, Pa., facility will begin producing the Tri Glide and Street Glide trikes for the 2011 model year. Previously, Harley-Davidsons trikes were assembled under a supply agreement of Lehman Trikes of Spearfish, South Dakota.

The Isle of Man TT, which held the TTXGPs inaugural event in 2009, will hold its own clean emissions race, named the TT Zero. Like all other TT races, the TT Zero will be run by ACU Events, using the International Motorcycling Federations rulebook. The Isle of Man governments Department of Tourism and Leisure will promote the TT Zero. The TTXGP however will not be involved.

Hopkins had linked to both Team Hammer (which races as M4 Suzuki) and MotoGP start-up team FB Corse. Hopkins has reportedly agreed to test with M4 Suzuki and a report earlier this week suggests Hopkins has decided to return to AMA racing. The report stems from a Twitter posting by Cycle World editor Matthew Miles during the Jan. 23 AMA Supercross round.

The marathon rider training event will be held Feb. 12 at Kawasaki s headquarters in Irvine, Calif., and will consist of five four-hour training sessions held through the day. The sessions are free to the public with a donation to breast cancer research and the Susan G. Komen For the Cure organization.

As previously reported, Aprilia has sent notices to dealers and customers of a pending recall for the RSV4 sportbike. Aprilia is performing a full engine swap on all RSV4 motorcycles shipped to the U.S. after identifying a component as falling short of quality standards. Aprilia has not publically identified the faulty component and no details have been published by the NHTSA as yet.

The former MotoGP rider had previously been linked to prospective Grand Prix team FB Corse but finally decided instead to return to AMA Road Racing and reunite with Team Hammer. Hopkins won the 2000 AMA 750cc Supersport and 2001 Formula Xtreme championships with Team Hammer, which raced as Valvoline Suzuki at the time.

The 40 Years of Berlin R1200R roadster was built to celebrate 40 years of production at BMW s Berlin-Spandau plant. The anniversary bike received several upgrades including a chorme exhaust system, ABS, white turn signals, heated grips, on-board computer, lowered seat, sport windwhield and a Mojave Brown paint job.

ITLs Rizla brand of rolling papers will continue to be the title sponsor for Suzuki s MotoGP team. Rizla has been associated with Suzuki since the 80s and became the teams title sponsor in 2006.

According to a report submitted by Aprilia to the NHTSA, a process used by a parts supplier to straighten the rods to meet specifications introduced stresses which affected their strength and reliability. The faulty connecting rods may lead to engine failure, as occurred in RSV4Rs press launch event in October.

The 28 Buell and Harley-Davidson motorcycles will first be shipped to the Motor Companys Dominican Republic dealership organization MagnaMotors before being delivered to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti.

Scheduled to run June 9 after the second Supersport and second Sidecar class races, the TT Zero will be the second zero-emission race on the Isle of Man, but the first without Azhar Hussain and the TTXGP.

The Fiat Yamaha rider had the fastest lap time at 2:01.411, nearly half a second faster than Ducati Marlboros Casey Stoner on the first day of the two-day test Feb. 4-5.

The 2009 MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi and runner-up Jorge Lorenzo are back on the track at the Sepang Circuit ready to continue their success in 2010.

Troy Lee and his team will design the livery for Rizla Suzuki s race bikes as well as the racing suits of Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista. Troy Lee Designs will also design the teams pit-box and hospitality units, as well as team clothing and merchandise.

Morning rain showers followed by a sunny afternoon provided for mixed track conditions on the second day of testing at the Sepang International Circuit.

Polen won the 1991 WSBK Championship, riding a Ducati 888 for Fast By Ferracci. Polen won 17 of 26 races that season to win the championship, his first of two consecutive titles.

The manufacturer announced October 2009 it would not run a factory team in the 2010 AMA Pro Road Racing season. Instead, Yamaha will be represented by four teams, the championship winning Graves Motorsports team, the Pat Clark Motorsports Team, Team Project 1 Atlanta and Team MPH Racing.

Rain showers created slippery conditions in Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Calif., with Dungey an unfortunate victim. The Rockstar Makita Suzuki rider hit a slick spot in the first corner and crashed, taking down several other racers.

According to the statement by the Isle of Mans Department of Tourism and Leisure, which oversees the famed TT races, it was the TTXGP which decided not to participate in the 2010 event. Negotiations between the DTL and the TTXGP began in July following the 2009 event. The DTL says a deal in principle was in place in September but a formal proposal with a financial support package sent in October was rejected by the TTXGP.

The reality series following the Teutul family and the Orange County Choppers workshop will air its final episode Feb. 11. The series debuted in 2003 on the Discovery Channel before moving to TLC in 2007.

The Elkhart Lake, Wis., circuit will be the final event announced for the TTXGPs eGrandPrix North American Championship. The Road America race will be held June 3-6, coinciding with a scheduled AMA Pro Road Racing Round.

First introduced at the 2009 EICMA show in Milan, Italy, the 2010 MV Agusta F4 is ready for delivery to early pre-orders.

State Attorney General Martha Coakley announced settlement agreements with Safety Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company over allegations the companies overcharged customers.

The Honda Red Bull racer sustained a lower leg injury during the Feb. 6 AMA Supercross main event in San Diego, Calif. Short was examined over the weekend and is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks.

A fuel injected engine arrived over the short winter break and spirits were high that the new powerplant would help propel the team to the top step of the podium. However, as with most new projects, you have to jump a few hurdles to get to the finish line and this one was no different. It requires many additional components to switch from a carbureted engine to a fuel injected engine and as the first race weekend of the year drew near it became apparent that the swap would not be done in time. Undeterred the team went into the weekend knowing they would give it their all and hope for the best, after all it is a new year!

Riding the new fuel-injected 350cc KTM machine against 450cc competition, Cairoli took the first two finals with a third-place finish in the third to clinch the overall victory.

A 25-year veteran of motorcycle racing, McGrath recently headed Buell s research and development team, and had previously worked as a crew chief for American Honda. McGrath has also worked for Dunlop and Vance & Hines.

After a protracted John Hopkins soap opera, almost mythical three-cylinder MotoGP bike, and postponed team launch, it would be easy to question whether FB Corse would fulfill its intent to race in MotoGP.

Chicago locals will be treated to an up-close look at hundreds of the latest motorcycles under one roof and access to the best on-site show discounts on apparel, gear accessories and more, said Group Show Director Jeff DEntremont. In addition to checking out all the latest motorcycles, gear and accessories, the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows is the best place to get a deal on the great place to spend the day hanging out and taking in bikes with thousands of local riders.

The off-road racing champion and star of On Any Sunday is an apt choice for Grand Marshal, given his history with the 2010 events Marque of the Year, Husqvarna. Smith was brought on by Husqvarna importer Edison Dye to race the Swedish-made machine.