Articles by Ivar Kvadsheim
News 
Mandatory ABS coming to Europe
A few months ago the enthusiast press reported that the EU Commission's proposal to mandate ABS meant "the death of the dual sport motorcycle." Now, both manufacturers and consumers have accepted the proposal and there's no need to worry about the dual sport motorcycle. What's new? The basis for the panic in the press was a press release from FEMA (The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Asso... Photos: 100 years of Benelli
In the spring of 1911, six brothers, acting with the support of their mother, founded a bicycle and motorcycle repair shop called the Benelli Garage. Nine years later, Benelli made its first engine, a 75cc two-stroke that they stuck in a bicycle frame. Just a year after that they made their first motorcycle and a year after that entered the first race. Next year, Benelli will turn 100, here’s a ... News
The facts behind Europe’s alleged ban on switchable ABS
The EU Commission has finally delivered its proposal for a new motorcycle framework regulation. The purpose of the new regulation is to put loads of existing directives concerning type approval of motorcycles into one new, less complex framework regulation for all L-category vehicles — two- or three-wheel powered cycles, mopeds, motorcycles with and without a side-car, tricycles, on-road quads a... Triumph Tiger 800 leakathon continues
Triumph's leaklaunch of the new Tiger 800 adventure bikes continued today with a misguided "preview" for the brand's hardcore fans visiting Triumph Live at England's Mallory Park. "Not only will we be previewing the 2011 range of bikes and clothing..." was the message to ticket buyers on the Triumph Live website. As it turned out, the preview consisted of the two Tiger 800 models hidden inside ... News
Yamaha FZ8 comes to America to fill a gap
The Yamaha FZ8 was launched in Europe earlier this year primarily to try to steal some sales away from the hugely popular Kawasaki Z750. That won't be needed in the the US, so its prime function will be to fill in "the gap for sport riders who feel a 600cc is too small and a 1000cc is too big". The FZ (and Fazer) series has been a huge success since Yamaha first married an YZF600R Thundercat de... News
TTXGP 2011: Specs class, more teams and races
Michael Barnes of Lightning Motorcycles had already won the championship before the final race at VIRginia International Raceway, but to TTXGP founder Azhar Hussain the increasingly tighter racing is one of the biggest achievements of the TTXGP North American championship's first season. - I think we've achieved a lot in our first season in North-America. To me the biggest achievment is how tigh... News
Valentino Rossi: My work here at Yamaha is finished
"Now the moment has come to look for new challenges; my work here at Yamaha is finished. Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me 'I love you!'" - Valentino Rossi. Rejoice Ducati, Dorna, Italy, MotoGP, FIM, motorcycle ... News
MV Agusta: The Castiglioni years
Claudio Castiglioni (right) and his brother Giovanni are back in charge of MV Agusta. "MV Agusta is the crown jewel of Italian motorcycles, I am thrilled to have completed this transaction." No wonder Claudio Castiglioni is thrilled. Two years after selling MV Agusta to Harley-Davidson for 70 million euros, they pay him 20 million euros to take it back. Castiglioni immediately promises new models... News
How the FIM and TTXGP can fix electric motorcycle racing
Photo: Grant Ray"Racing improves the breed." That was Azhar Hussain's mantra when he launched TTXGP and the idea of electric motorcycle racing a couple of years ago. He's right, of course. If we want the best possible electric street bikes as soon as possible, the racetrack is the best place to breed them. But we also need the best possible breeding ground - one premier racing series. One. TTXGP a... News