A round up of this week's other bike stories in brief
New line-up for Yamaha range
Yamaha has announced its big-four dirt bike line-up for 2009. The YZ250F, YZF450, YZ125 and YZ85 are newly improved two-stroke and four-stroke off-roaders that are sure to pack a punch in the mud.
The enhanced YZ250F boasts a new exhaust and a new clutch basket. There's also a new lighter swingarm that is teamed with a revised linkage, and rear shock that uses a steel spring instead of titanium.
The number of stator mounting points on the 2009 YZF450 has increased from three to four, and first- and third-gear fork bars are 4mm longer so as to improve shifts between second and third. There's a new swingarm and linkage, rear hub and top triple clamp.
Very few changes have been made to the YZ85, except for new graphics.
The YZ125 and 250 got upgrades in line with their 4-stroke counterparts.
Harley checks out MV Agusta
Rumours are circulating on the motorcycle grapevine that Harley-Davidson is in serious talks with MV Agusta concerning acquisition of a controlling capital position in the legendary Italian marque. We await the outcome.
Bush road races this weekend
The Dungannon and District Motorcycle Club 2008 Donnelly Group Bush Road Races will take place this Saturday, June 21st. Road-racing favourites Ryan Farquhar and Adrian Archibald are expected to make their debuts.