NEW LOOK FOR YAMAHA'S V-MAXAs noted here on August 15th, patent drawings revealed the new look V-Max that Yamaha is currently developing for 2008. The latest news is that Yamaha's next-generation V-Max concept looks set to go into production as a 2009 model.
Bob Starr, general manager of the National Communications Motorsports Group Company, sent out a message to Yamaha dealers in the US, saying that the V-Max still has a year of development before it's ready for production.
At both last year's dealer meeting in Las Vegas, and select Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows, a V-Max Concept model was displayed to gauge consumer response.
TT CENTENARY LEGENDS ON DVD
To celebrate the Isle of Man TT's 2007 Centenary, Duke Video has brought out a tribute DVD. TT Centennial Classic Magiccaptures 100 years of motorcycling from the world's most best-known racing circuit. "Viewers can hear from legends of the TT, including John Surtees, Carl Fogarty, Geoff Duke, Mick Grant, Giacomo Agostini, Jim Redmond and many more, and see the greats back in action on board some of the most memorable motorcycles ever built," according to Duke.
This 88-minute DVD features footage from the re-enactment of the very first TT, held exactly 100 years to the day after that momentous occasion in 1907. It also features a wonderful array of vintage machinery led by the Norton that won the first ever TT and the 1907 runner-up Vindec Special.
TT Centennial Classic Magicis available now, priced £14.99, around €22, on DVD, available from leading video outlets or direct from Duke Video: e-mail mail@dukevideo.com or visit www.dukevideo.com online.
WHEELIE TIME IN YORKSHIRE
If you fancy yourself as a bit of a daring stunt biker and can wheelie your machine for one kilometre, then you qualify to enter the world's fastest wheelie record attempt.
This exciting challenge will take place at Elvington airfield in Yorkshire, England on September 22nd to 23rd. So far, the record for holding a bike up on one back wheel is 172mph for a non-turbo bike and 214mph for a turbo bike.
OPENING UP CARLOW
Carlow Motorcycles in Deerpark Business Park, Carlow will be having its official opening this Saturday. Bike buyers or browsers can look forward to some special offers on the day, and a sneak preview of the 2008 R1.
If you have motorbike news, e-mail motorbikes@irish-times.ie